We chat with Chris Coursey from THRIVEtoday to discuss “return to joy,” a crucial skill for moving from reactive parenting to thoughtful responses. Chris explains the three-step process of feeling, sharing, and quieting emotions, while offering strategies to increase your emotional capacity during challenging interactions with your kids. The conversation highlights the brain science behind emotional regulation and provides tools to recognize when you’re slipping into “enemy mode” and how to return to your relational self. Plus, learn how you could win a copy of Chris’s latest book, 4 Habits of Joy-Filled People.

Key points:

Discover how you can recover from strong emotions and “return to joy”
Understand how much emotional weight you can carry at any given time
Learn to recognize when you’re in your best, relational state versus when you’ve slipped into a reactive state
The three-step process Chris teaches: Feel your feelings, share your feelings, and calm your feelings

Mentioned in this podcast:

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Take a moment to rate and review the podcast!

*This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!*

Guest Bio:

For over 30 years, Chris has been developing and practicing brain-based solutions to train people, families, and communities to make relationships work. Chris started his career specializing in severe trauma and abuse, and also pastored a small congregation in Michigan for several years. Chris is a published author with over ten books in print, including The Joy Switch. He co-authored his most recent book, The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled People. Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Jen, and their two sons, Matthew and Andrew. In addition to studying, writing, jogging, and exercising, he enjoys the outdoors and is one of the rare people who actually likes the snow in Michigan.

Website: https://thrivetoday.org/
Podcast: https://thrivetoday.buzzsprout.com/
The 4 Habits Books: https://thrivetoday.org/4-habits-series/

How to Turn Fast, Large, & Loud into Slow, Low, & Listen Mini Course

None of us feel good about habitually yelling at our kids. Shifting our approach is hard and is the important foundation work needed to communicate, “You are SAFE with me.”
Invest just 10 minutes a day just four days with this mini-course that blends brain science, Biblical insight, and practical “slow, low, and listen” strategies for daily life. Your heart and mind can find a new path to connection with your kids.