Hey, welcome to Trial by Father. I’m Isaac—a brand-new dad with more questions than answers—and this week I’m learning from Raz Bradley, a lay pastor and financial planner who’s raising two kids (8 and 4). We talk about discipling our children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord” specifically around money: why the love of it is dangerous, and how to train little hearts toward generosity, patience, and real-world skills.

Raz walks through their simple, super-practical system: kids earn through “gigs” (not allowance), then every Friday they “allocate earnings” into three buckets—Share, Save, Spend. Saving gets a 50% parent match and a built-in waiting period to teach delayed gratification. He also shows how clear expectations + paid gigs reduce store-aisle meltdowns and turn birthdays into joyfully giving, not just getting.

If you’re wondering how to start—at any age—this conversation will give you a framework you can run on a whiteboard today.

Hey, welcome to Trial by Father. I’m Isaac—and as a brand-new dad, I’m learning from parents a few miles further down the road. Today I sat with Jason Arrington, program director at Bethel Christian Camp. He and his wife, Christine, have four kids from high school into college, and we dug into the high school years—that shift from “because I said so” to preparing teens for real-world responsibility.

Jason talks about building on early foundations of clear authority and consistency, then moving discipline toward trust and privileges: lose trust, lose freedom; seek forgiveness, rebuild. We hit practicals, too—chores → contribution, learning to carry weight at home, honest conversations about screens and social media, and why prayer and anchoring teens in Scripture matter when the culture tugs the other way. His aim is simple and strong: that each child would know who Jesus is and have a real opportunity to respond.

Quick heads-up: due to some recording issues, this episode is audio-only and the quality’s a bit rough—but the insight is worth it.

Hey, welcome to Trial by Father. I’m Isaac—and as a brand-new dad, I’ve got more questions than answers. So I’m sitting across the table from parents further along the road, hoping to learn from their wisdom about what it means to raise children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

In this episode, I sit down with Ant Frederick, one of the pastors at Midtown Two Notch, who—along with his wife—has four kids between ages 5 and 12. We talk all about the middle school years: that stretch of parenting when independence, responsibility, and faith start to take real shape.

Ant shares how he’s helping his twin boys move from being receivers to contributors in the family, from “someone takes care of me” to “I take responsibility for my part.” He talks about building trust through consistent discipline, teaching work ethic, and giving kids ownership in the home—like letting them cook family meals or help serve church leaders.

We also dig into his idea of “guy time”—one-on-one connection over apple juice and laughter that opens the door for honest conversations about bodies, sex, and faith. Ant explains how these playful, safe moments set the stage for deeper discussions later about manhood, temptation, and following Jesus.

Finally, we talk about screens, peer pressure, and middle school faith—how Ant trains his boys to be discerning, independent thinkers who see how the gospel meets them in their fears and insecurities.

This one’s packed with wisdom, laughter, and a lot of practical takeaways for parents in the middle school trenches. Let’s dive in.

Hey, welcome to Trial by Father. I’m Isaac—a new dad with a lot to learn—and in this episode I sat down with Spencer Cary, one of the pastors at our church, to talk all about family worship. Spencer and his wife, Anna, have three kids between the ages of 6 and 10, and Spencer has a deep love for leading his family in the Word, prayer, and song.

We unpack what family worship actually is—not a Sunday-morning production at the dinner table, but a simple, intentional rhythm of gathering at home to read Scripture, pray together, and sing to the Lord. Spencer shares how it started for them when their oldest was an infant—just reading the Bible out loud and praying—and how that practice has grown through the years into a joyful family rhythm that now includes questions, catechisms, and worship songs (even when the “joyful noise” isn’t all that tuneful).

He talks honestly about what makes this work: starting small, keeping it flexible, and remembering that parents—not programs—are the primary disciplers of their children. The conversation is full of encouragement for any parent, whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, to begin creating space for the Word in your home—even if it’s just five minutes over breakfast.

It’s practical, convicting, and deeply hopeful. Let’s dive in.

In this episode of Trial by Father, Isaac sits down with Hart Traylor, a husband, father of three boys, and longtime member of the church, to talk about parenting during the elementary years—those pivotal seasons when kids start school, structure settles in, and family rhythms begin to shift.

Hart and his wife, Vanessa, have walked through just about every schooling path—homeschooling, co-ops, and private Christian school—and Hart shares how each stage came about through a mix of conviction, circumstance, and God’s direction. He talks honestly about the challenges of homeschooling during seasons of family illness and ministry transition, how they discerned when it was time to make a change, and what it looked like to trust God through it.

The conversation also digs into household rhythms, like managing homework and chores, setting expectations for screen time, and helping kids grow from consumers into contributors. Hart shares practical systems for balance—how he and Vanessa collaborate to find the right mix of structure and grace—and what it looks like to cultivate life in his wife and children through spiritual rhythms, discipline, and intentional time together.

It’s an honest, down-to-earth look at family life in the trenches: choosing schools, leading with humility, and learning to create a home where kids—and parents—flourish.

Hey, welcome to Trial by Father. I’m Isaac—and as a brand-new dad, I’ve got more questions than answers. So I’m sitting across the table from other parents who’ve been at this longer, hoping to learn what it really looks like to raise children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

In this episode, I sit back down with Chet Phillips, one of the pastors at our church, to talk through the nuts and bolts of discipline. Last time, we covered the big-picture philosophy—what discipline is and why it matters. This time, we’re getting practical. What does it actually look like in real life when your child disobeys? How do you decide when to correct, when to explain, and when to escalate?

Chet walks through his own framework for discipline—from gentle correction to consequences—and how it changes as kids grow. He talks about teaching respect and obedience early, the role of tone and consistency, and the goal behind every correction: not control, but joy and restoration. We also talk openly about spanking—what it is, what it isn’t, and how to approach it with love, self-control, and clarity.

It’s an honest, detailed look at what biblical discipline can look like day to day, full of wisdom for both new and seasoned parents. Let’s dive in.

Hey, welcome to Trial by Father. I’m Isaac—and as a brand-new dad, I’ve got more questions than answers. So I’m sitting across the table from other parents who are a little further along, hoping to learn what it really looks like to raise children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

In this episode, I sat down with Sydney Meek to talk all about the toddler years—that wild, wonderful stretch between diapers and preschool where little personalities start to bloom. Sydney and her husband, Mason, are members of Mill City and have three kids ranging from one to six. We talked about what defines the toddler stage, how discipline shifts from simple routines to heart training, and why consistency is one of the most loving things a parent can give.

Sydney shares how toddlers are learning to communicate, make small choices, and take on real responsibility—cleaning up toys, helping with chores, and learning that obedience and freedom go hand in hand. We also unpack how to handle the “why” phase, screens as tools rather than entertainment, and how early exposure to Scripture and the gospel plants seeds that bear fruit later on.

It’s honest, practical, and full of hope for parents in the middle of the toddler chaos—because this stage isn’t just survival, it’s foundation-building. Let’s dive in.

Hey, welcome to Trial by Father. I’m Isaac—and as a brand-new dad, I’ve got more questions than answers. So I’m sitting across the table from other parents who’ve walked this road before me, hoping to learn what it really looks like to raise children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

In this episode, I sat down with Chet Phillips, one of our pastors, to talk about the heart behind discipline. Before my wife and I were even placed with our first child, I wanted to understand the why—what is discipline, really, and how does it reflect the way God loves and shapes His children?

Chet shares with honesty and wisdom about how discipline isn’t punishment for its own sake—it’s correction with a purpose. We talk about the difference between annoyance and loving instruction, what it means to shape our children toward joy and maturity, and how discipline and affection go hand in hand. Chet also opens up about his own parenting—what he’s learned from raising two boys, how he keeps discipline connected to relationship, and why he believes that correction is one of the most loving gifts a parent can give.

It’s a long, rich conversation—philosophical, biblical, and deeply practical. Let’s dive in.

Hey, welcome to Trial by Father. I’m Isaac, a brand-new dad with more questions than answers, learning from parents a few steps ahead. Today I sat down with Shari Howiler to talk all things newborn phase. Shari and her husband, David, have four kids (10 down to 1), and she brought steady, grace-filled wisdom for those foggy first months.

We get practical about sleep and rhythms (tag-teaming nights, staying flexible), the heart work of early parenting (laying down our plans, resisting comparison and unsolicited advice), and the joys that keep you going—that first smile, the belly laughs, and letting community step in when you’re running on fumes. Above all, Shari keeps pointing us back to Christ as our anchor when fears and fatigue set in.

If you’re in the thick of it—or about to be—I think you’ll feel seen and encouraged. Let’s dive in.

In this kickoff episode, Isaac sits down with Chet Phillips to ask what the Bible really says about parenting. They contrast our culture’s “stand back and let kids find themselves” approach with Scripture’s baseline: children need parents who actively teach, correct, and lead for their good. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6, Proverbs, Exodus 20:12, and Ephesians 6:4, Chet unpacks why authority is a blessing, why kids are commanded to honor father and mother, and how parents can pair everyday instruction with loving, consistent discipline—without provoking their children.

Whether you’re sleep-deprived and unsure or just wanting a clearer framework, this conversation offers a Bible-saturated, practical vision for raising kids: intentional instruction, real boundaries, and a home aimed at long-term joy, not short-term ease.