Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids Podcast, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender explore why sadness is a normal human emotion and how adults can respond when a child seems persistently down or hopeless. They discuss noticing behavioral changes, helping kids build emotional vocabulary, resisting the urge to quickly fix or spiritualize their pain, and creating homes where children feel seen, wanted, and able to talk. Parents and caring adults will be encouraged to offer steady presence and attentive support that helps bruised kids begin to heal.

As AI "friends" become more common, what are our kids really learning about friendship? In this episode, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender unpack Meta's new chatbot update and explore how true friendships form character, resilience, and faith. Learn how to help your kids value real people over artificial connection—and why Jesus' definition of friendship changes everything.

When does helping someone cross the line from compassion into condescension? In this episode, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender unpack a viral Supreme Court moment that raises tough questions about empathy, equality, and how we treat others. Learn how to teach your kids the difference between pity and Christ-like compassion—and how true love restores dignity instead of diminishing it.

Dr. Kathy recently visited Princeton Minnesota and conducted a two day parent training at New Life Church. We brought some of the questions we fielded after her teaching to the podcast to encourage you.
If you'd like to bring Dr. Kathy to your church, school, or community for parent training, visit www.celebratekids.com

How do we talk to our kids about the hard things they see in the news without overwhelming them? In this episode, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender explore how parents can help children process violence, fear, and brokenness with truth and hope. Learn how creativity, compassion, and Christ-centered security can become release valves for kids' anxiety in a world that often feels heavy.