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For more than twenty years, Connected Families has heard countless stories: parenting stress decreased, the angry household that got gentler, the relationship that came back to life. Beautiful stories, all of them. But a problem remained: stories aren’t data.
In this episode, Stacy Bellward welcomes back Dr. Cindy Wilson, Connected Families Director of Education, Equipping and Research, to share results from the ministry’s first official research study on the Connected Families Framework™ and the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course. Partnering with an independent research team at Florida State University, Cindy’s team asked 50 parents questions to uncover what actually changed in their homes.
If you’re in a hard parenting season and wondering whether the inward-first work is worth it, this conversation offers both encouragement and evidence.
Key Takeaways:
- Discover what 50 parents reported changed in their homes after completing the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course
- Learn the real difference between “research-informed” and “evidence-based” and why that distinction opens doors for Connected Families to reach more families
- Why parents’ inward-first growth is the starting point for generational transformation
Mentioned in this Podcast:
- Proverbs 15:1
- Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course
- Book – Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart
- The Connected Families Framework
- cf community
- Certified Parent Coaching
Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!
Guest Bio:
Cindy Wilson is a CF-Certified Parent Coach and a Certified Family Life Educator with 20+ years in children & family ministry and academia. As Director of Education, Equipping, and Research for CF, she helps churches, schools, and other organizations use CF resources to equip and support families in their community. She is also helping collect data to show the impact of CF resources on parents and families. Cindy lives in Florida with her husband of over 30 years. She has three adult children, one son-in-law, four grandchildren, and a farm full of animals.
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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!
© 2026 Connected Families
Not sure where to start?
Many parents begin with Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart, a course that introduces the Connected Families Framework and the foundation for everything that follows.
