Episodes

Send us a text Join DJ Stutz for the Season 5 finale of Imperfect Heroes: Insights into Parenting! Her guest, Nancy Boyer, is a mom of five and budding author, who shares how faith anchors her parenting. Nancy discusses losing both her parents during her teens, leaning on daily scripture, prayer, and community, and teaching kids to serve others. She highlights how their family’s faith’s impacts her children’s lives—perfect for parents of young kids wanting to nurture family values! With 200 epi...

Send us a text Join DJ Stutz for her landmark 200th episode of Imperfect Heroes: Insights Into Parenting as she looks back at sterling moments and topics for parents and caregivers of kids (birth to age 8). Relive a moving father-son story on emotional regulation, with tips to validate feelings and build trust. Turn challenges like thumb-sucking into bonding opportunities using teamwork strategies. Tame sibling rivalry with practical advice to foster compromise and kindness. Discover why meltdow...

Send us a text Follow one family’s journey as they seek the perfect educational fit for their kids. DJ chats with her son, Shiloh Stutz, a Northern California hospital administrator and dad to Roman and Niko. Shiloh shares how he and his wife, a city engineer, chose a small, values-driven Christian preschool for Roman, sparking his academic success. This led to a dual immersion school and later a private Christian school. Niko followed suit, thriving in academics and sports. Shiloh dishes on bal...

Hey, wonderful parents! This episode of Imperfect Heroes welcomes back our favorite guest, Lenora Edwards, ASHA Board Certified Speech Language Pathologist from Better Speech, for another engaging chat with DJ Stutz. They’re diving into a topic every parent of young kids will relate to: how our anxieties affect our little ones. This episode is brimming with insights you’ll want to hear! Lenora, a cherished recurring guest, explains how parents’ stress can shape kids’ confidence and growth. DJ...

Send us a text In this warm and welcoming episode, host DJ Stutz sits down with Carrie Lingenfelter, a former teacher, speech therapist, and conscious parenting champion. They chat about the joy of really getting to know our kids and building those precious connections. Parents of little ones, this one’s for you—full of gentle ideas and engaging tips to help your family grow together! Carrie opens up about understanding our kids’ unique strengths and struggles, sharing the sweet idea of "empath...

Send us a text Join DJ Stutz on Imperfect Heroes as she dives into raising independent kids—kicking helicopter and lawnmower parenting to the curb! Tired of over-scheduled, over-indulged little ones who can’t solve a problem? DJ’s here for you. She dishes on how hovering tanks work ethic (business owners are spilling the beans!), and shares simple ways to get your toddlers and preschoolers rocking chores like pros. Imagine modeling hustle, setting clear rules, and letting them face consequences—...

Tune into this awesome podcast episode where DJ Stutz chats with relationship pro Chaya Garcia about boosting your kids’ executive functioning—aka their ability to plan ahead and make smart choices. They dish on why modeling behavior is key, how to turn failures into learning wins, and why kids need to express emotions confidently. Chaya shares tips on building strong relationships (hint: actions beat words!), while DJ offers family-tested tricks for guiding kids through conflicts and picking character-driven friends. Grab your favorite beverage and listen for practical, fun advice on raising resilient, empathetic little decision-makers—perfect for parents of toddlers, preschool and early elementary kiddos!

In this must-hear podcast episode, DJ teams up with Jennifer Celeste Briggs to chat about raising a child with special needs—and why building a rock-solid support crew is everything. They’re spilling practical, proven tips to create your own village of cheerleaders, perfect for moms and dads navigating this journey. Plus, they dive into the awesome perks of volunteering and lifting up other special-needs families. Tune in for a warm, real talk packed with ideas to help your family and community thrive.

Send us a text In this episode of Imperfect Heroes, DJ welcomes back speech-language pathologist, Lenora Edwards, for an engaging conversation about teaching kids persistence, resilience, and the joy of trying new things. DJ and Lenora discuss how fear of failure or discomfort can hold children back, how parents’ own experiences shape their reactions, and why modeling a growth mindset is essential. They share practical strategies for helping kids develop patience, confidence, and a willingness ...

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Subscriber-only episode Send us a text Would your child know what to do in a dangerous situation? In this episode, DJ sits down with Robert Wiley from DPP Defense to explore how parents can teach kids practical self-defense, situational awareness, and emotional resilience. From identifying threats and de-escalating conflicts to running safety drills just like fire drills, Robert shares expert strategies to help children stay safe, confident, and prepared. With over 30 years of experience in per...

Send us a text Ever wonder what truly helps children thrive while keeping them from dangerous paths? In this powerful episode, DJ Stutz sits down with parenting expert and author Richard O’Keef to dive into the four emotional needs every child has—belonging, personal power, being heard and understood, and boundaries. Richard, who teaches incarcerated dads how to break generational cycles of abuse and neglect, shares the 15 essential parenting skills that help meet these needs. Together, DJ and ...

Send us a text Who our kids look up to shapes who they become! In this episode, DJ Stutz and Lenora Edwards explore how young children develop a sense of morality by observing the heroes in their lives. From parents and teachers to friends and public figures, kids model behaviors they see—making it essential to guide them toward positive role models. DJ shares inspiring classroom stories of children showing kindness and bravery, while Lenora discusses the impact of social media on hero worship....

Send us a text Did you know that empathy is the very first step in your child’s moral development? In this episode, DJ dives into how kids begin to connect with others emotionally—even as babies! From mirroring your smile to responding to your tone, your little one is already laying the foundation for empathy. Listen in as she shares five practical, everyday strategies to help you nurture empathy in your child: building a safe and loving environment, tuning into their emotions, modeling kindnes...

Send us a text In this episode, DJ welcomes Dr. John Chanaca, an experienced author and family therapist, to explore the moral development of children in today’s technology-driven world. With over 42 years in education and counseling, Dr. Chanaca shares insights on fostering moral values through consistent parenting and role modeling. He discusses the importance of cyber safety and outlines eight key traits for successful students, including respect, obedience, and problem-solving. Dr. Chanaca e...

Send us a text In this episode, DJ chats with author Margot Machol-Bisnow about the link between parenting and entrepreneurship. Margot has interviewed over 70 entrepreneurs and shares her findings about childhood commonalities. They highlight the value of praising effort and resilience over outcomes and supporting children’s unique interests. Margot also explains how entrepreneurship is about more than starting businesses—it’s about making a positive impact no matter where you work. Learn how...

Send us a text In this episode of Imperfect Heroes: Insights into Parenting, DJ Stutz sits down with Diane Dempster, co-founder of Impact Parents, to discuss the challenges and joys of raising what she calls “Spicy Kids.” Diane shares her expertise on distinguishing between behaviors that are "naughty" and those rooted in neurological or developmental differences, emphasizing the importance of understanding executive function delays. Together, they explore how meeting children where they are, fo...

Send us a text Welcome to Season 5 of Imperfect Heroes! This season, we’re diving into a powerful theme: The Moral Development of Young Children. In this first episode, DJ Stutz explores how children grow their sense of right and wrong, drawing on the groundbreaking theories of Jean Piaget and Lawrence Kohlberg. From understanding empathy to building integrity, DJ unpacks the stages of moral development and shares practical, real-life strategies for parents. Learn how to model values, spark mean...

Send us a text In this episode, DJ Stutz talks with Andrew Peterson—Christian singer-songwriter, and author of The Wingfeather Saga—about weaving faith into every aspect of life. Andrew shares how he integrates faith into his family’s daily routines, making it a natural part of parenting and relationships. They discuss the power of storytelling, music, and art in fostering spiritual growth and teaching the beauty of truth. Andrew emphasizes the importance of discernment in media and parenting...

Send us a text In this episode of Imperfect Heroes, DJ Stutz chats with Ashlee Terry about the role of faith in parenting and building spiritual resilience in young children. Ashlee shares her story of recovery after a traumatic accident in January 2024, reflecting on how her childhood experiences with church, Sunday school, and Bible camp anchored her during life’s storms. Together, they discuss the importance of creating a faith-filled foundation that gives kids the strength and understanding ...

Send us a text Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to Imperfect Heroes so you never miss an episode! In this episode, DJ Stutz chats with Lenora Edwards, a board-certified speech-language pathologist, about the powerful link between spirituality and parenting. They explore how curiosity strengthens faith and builds meaningful family connections. Lenora shares tips on using tone and non-verbal cues to guide children’s spiritual questions while fostering open, judgment-free conversations....

Send us a text In this episode, DJ Stutz chats with Kristina and Herb Heagh-Avritt, married for 33 years, about raising two boys while blending differing spiritual beliefs. Tune in as they share how they honored unique perspectives and built a unified foundation for their family. As founders of Vibrant Family Education, Kristina and Herb discuss empowering parents through homeschooling, integrating life skills, traditions, and spirituality. Stay tuned while they offer practical tips on setting ...

Send us a text In this episode of Imperfect Heroes: Insights into Parenting, DJ Stutz delves into the importance of spirituality in raising compassionate, mentally healthy, and service-minded children. Drawing from her wealth of experience, DJ discusses how aligning on spiritual beliefs as parents and modeling healthy communication can set the foundation for a strong spiritual life. She shares practical advice for starting spiritual conversations early, creating teachable moments, and encouragin...

Send us a text Join DJ Stutz as she chats with E.A. Maynard, co-host of Call With Dads and founder of Homessor.com, about the powerful connection between fatherhood and gratitude. Eric shares practical tips for raising grateful kids, including limiting screen time, encouraging outdoor activities, and fostering family bonds. Learn how his stepdad’s influence shaped his parenting style and how Homessor connects educators with families. This heartfelt episode offers actionable insights for dads an...