Raising Godly Girls

• Ep. 270 — Resilience-Building Parenting Strategies

  Every parent wants to protect their daughter—but when does protecting cross the line into preventing her from growing? On this week’s Raising Godly Girls Podcast, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose dive into the challenge of “lawnmower parenting” and how stepping back actually strengthens our daughters for the road ahead.  Through honest stories and Biblical encouragement, Rachael and Natalie share what it looks like to let our girls face healthy adversity, build resilience, and learn to trust God’s leadership in their own lives. From kindergarten battles over hair bows to navigating playground conflicts and tough conversations with teachers, they remind us that ease doesn’t build strength—resistance does.  You’ll also hear a special Raising Godly Girls Minute from American Heritage Girls Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay about how adversity strengthens trees—and girls. Together, we’ll explore why our instincts to intervene, though good, must sometimes yield to God’s greater plan for our daughters’ growth.  Scripture References:  Isaiah 55:8–9  Proverbs 16:3  If you’ve ever wrestled with when to step in and when to step back, this episode will encourage you to parent with courage, humility, and trust in God’s sovereignty.   Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.     To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org. 

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• Ep. 269 — Why Parents Shouldn’t Make Life Easy for Their Daughters

  As parents, our hearts want the very best for our girls. We long to shield them from failure, hardship, and pain. But what if our desire to protect is actually preventing them from growing into the young women God created them to be?  In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose dive into the parenting pitfalls of “helicoptering” and “lawnmowing”—those tendencies to hover or clear every obstacle out of our daughter’s path. Together, they wrestle with the tension between loving our girls well and trusting the Lord to use challenges, disappointments, and even failures to build godly character.  You’ll hear real-life parenting stories, Biblical wisdom, and encouragement from American Heritage Girls Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay in this week’s Raising Godly Girls Minute.   The truth is, resilience grows when girls are allowed to stumble, problem-solve, and experience God’s faithfulness firsthand. Parenting is not about writing their story—it’s about trusting the One who already has.  Scripture References:  Matthew 7:9–11  Hebrews 12  If you’ve ever struggled with when to step in and when to step back, this episode will help you release the pressure, pry your hands open, and lean on God’s sovereignty as you raise your daughter with courage and faith.  Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.     To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org. 

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• Ep. 268 — Guiding Girls Through Big Emotions with Michelle Nietert

  If there’s one thing every parent of girls knows, it’s this: emotions can run deep, wide, and loud. From tearful meltdowns to dramatic outbursts, our daughters’ feelings can often feel like tidal waves that threaten to pull the whole household under. But what if those very moments weren’t interruptions to parenting—but opportunities for discipleship?  In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, host Patti Garibay, Founder & Executive Director Emeritus of American Heritage Girls, sits down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Michelle Nietert to unpack how parents can guide their daughters through big emotions with both compassion and Biblical truth. Drawing from decades of experience as a counselor, school crisis responder, and mom, Michelle offers practical insights for helping girls process sadness, fear, and anxiety while building emotional resilience that’s rooted in Christ.  You’ll hear encouragement for the mom who feels like her daughter is drowning in emotions, guidance on discerning when drama signals deeper emotional needs, and everyday ways parents can connect spiritual discipleship to emotional growth. From playground drama to teenage friendship struggles, Michelle reminds us that while the world may tell girls to be ruled by their feelings, God calls them to bring those feelings to Him.  Scripture References:  Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”  Philippians 4:6–7 – “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of the Spirit, including self-control. This conversation will leave you equipped with tools, reassured by truth, and reminded that you are not alone in raising emotionally healthy, Godly girls.  This conversation will leave you equipped with tools, reassured by truth, and reminded that you are not alone in raising emotionally healthy, Godly girls.  You can learn more about Michelle and her work at michellenietert.com  Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.     To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org. 

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• Ep. 267- Teaching Girls to Feel Without Being Ruled by Feelings

  Big emotions are a normal part of growing up—but when those emotions start calling the shots, our girls can quickly feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and even defeated. As moms, we want to raise daughters who feel deeply while also learning that their emotions don’t get to be in charge—Christ does.  In this episode, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden explore what it means to guide our daughters through the highs and lows of anger, sadness, joy, and fear with patience, connection, and truth. You’ll hear honest mom-to-mom stories, practical tools like “do-overs” and weekly check-ins, and encouragement to see emotional outbursts not as inconveniences but as discipleship opportunities.  Together, we’ll unpack how to help our daughters:  Recognize that emotions are real but not ultimate truth  Move from reacting in anger to responding in the Spirit  Root their identity in Christ rather than in how they feel  Practice self-control through grace-filled parenting moments  You’ll also hear the Raising Godly Girls Minute with Patti Garibay, Founder & Executive Director Emeritus of American Heritage Girls, reminding us that while anger is natural, the Holy Spirit transforms it into life-giving joy.  So, whether your daughter is slamming doors, quietly shutting down, or somewhere in between, this episode will remind you that big feelings don’t make her “too much.” They make her human—and God has entrusted you to shepherd her through them with His wisdom and love.  Scripture References:  • Galatians 5:16, 19–21, 22–23  • 2 Timothy 1:7  • John 11:35    This Week’s Reminders:  Big emotions don’t make your daughter “bad”—they make her human. God created her with deep feelings for a purpose. Your job isn’t to silence those emotions but to shepherd her through them with love, patience, and truth.   Correction is most powerful when it’s paired with connection. Your daughter will grow most when she feels safe, seen, and loved—even after a meltdown. Stay close, speak truth, and don’t underestimate the power of a gentle tone.   You are not alone in this—and neither is she. God is with you in every eye roll, every slammed door, and every teary moment. He’s working in her heart even when you can’t see it. Keep sowing seeds of Spirit-led parenting. He is faithful to grow the fruit.  Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.     To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.  

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• Ep. 266 — From Mood Swings to Steadfast Hearts: Faith-Filled Tools for Emotional Growth

  Emotions can be overwhelming—both for our daughters and for us as moms. From tearful meltdowns to unpredictable mood swings, it’s easy to feel like big emotions threaten to take over the day. But here’s the truth: feelings aren’t something to fix or fear. They’re invitations—opportunities to lean into God’s presence, disciple with compassion, and point our girls toward steadfastness in Christ.  In this episode, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden share personal stories of their own girlhood “big emotion” moments, reminding us that as moms, we’ve stood where our daughters now stand. Together, they explore practical and faith-filled ways to help girls put words to their emotions, process them in healthy ways, and anchor their identity in who God says they are—not in how they feel.  You’ll also hear from American Heritage Girls Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay, who offers an actionable tool for moms: teaching your daughter to reframe “I am” statements into “I feel” statements. This simple shift can transform self-talk, strengthen identity, and remind our girls that feelings are temporary—but God’s truth is eternal.  Through practical steps like journaling, mealtime check-ins, and memorizing “truth anchor” verses, this episode equips you to model emotional maturity, guide your daughter with gentleness, and rest in the knowledge that God didn’t call you to fix every emotion—He called you to shepherd your girl’s heart toward Him.  Referenced Scripture:  Genesis 16:13 — God sees us in our struggles.  Romans 12:2 — Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Exodus 14:13 — Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord.  Psalm 139:14 — Fearfully and wonderfully made.  Isaiah 43:1 — Called by name and redeemed.  1 Peter 2:9 — Chosen and belonging to God.  This Week’s Reminders:  Feelings Are Real, But Not Always True  Help your daughter name her emotions without letting them define her. Just because she feels unloved doesn’t mean she is unloved. Root her identity in God’s truth, not her temporary feelings.   She Learns Emotional Maturity by Watching You  Your example is her blueprint. When you model calm, prayerful responses and speak truth over your own emotions, you’re teaching her how to navigate hers with grace and faith.   God Doesn’t Call You to Be Her Savior—Just Her Shepherd  You’re not expected to fix every meltdown. Your role is to guide her toward the One who can hold every emotion she faces. Let that truth lighten the load—you’re parenting with God, not apart from Him.  Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.  

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