The Parent Pivot Podcast

Anxiety, Idols and Becoming a Prodigal Partner

Do you struggle with anxiety about how your adult child(ren) are living their lives?  It could be the job they've chosen, or maybe they're struggling to make it on their own.  You're left feeling weary and asking yourself the question: "My adult child isn't living the life I'd like them to.  What's a parent, I mean . . . what's a PARTNER to do?"
On this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, you'll hear some honest, open and vulnerable talk from Steve and Julia and what they've been through themselves, as well as helping other parents pivot to becoming a "Prodigal Partner."  Get a cup of coffee and sit back and let this podcast soak deep into your heart.  It's worth every minute.
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
"The Problem of Anxiety" podcast with Tim Keller
Dwell app
"The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children" by Stormie Omartian
"The Return of the Prodigal Son" painting by Rembrandt
 

Musings of an Adult Child: Interview with Steve & Julia Cummings

If you've ever wanted to be a "fly on the wall" of a real-life, real-time, intimate conversation with pivoting partners and their adult child - this is the podcast you will be glad you heard.
The tables get turned on Steve and Julia on this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast when their daughter Jamilyn interviews them about a variety of issues she is facing as their adult child living under their roof.  Real life conversations with adult children in real time! 
Don't miss it - and then share it with your adult child.
Mentioned on the podcast:
18 year-old Jamilyn does Dance Dares in the Airport.
https://www.instagram.com/heyitsjamilynjoy/
https://www.youtube.com/@heyitsjamilynjoy
Quote from Jim Carrey on depression:  “I believe depression is legitimate. But I also believe that if you don’t exercise, eat nutritious food, get sunlight, consume positive material, surround yourself with support, then you aren’t giving yourself a fighting chance.” 

Pivoting Includes Intentional Legacy Building: Interview with Wayne Rice

What do junior high ministry, bluegrass music and long-distance grandparenting have to do with pivoting from a parent to a partner?
You'll find out when you listen to this week's Parent Pivot Podcast as Steve and Julia interview Wayne Rice.  Don't miss hearing how you can have an impact on your children's children - even when your adult kids set hard boundaries.
Throwback link to the 60-70's: Watch Brush Arbor on Johnny Cash.
Legacy Grandparenting Summit 2025
Get a copy of Wayne's book, "Long Distance Grandparenting: Nurturing the Faith of Your Grandchildren When You Can't Be There in Person"
 

Pivoting to Partner Means Being a Buffalo, Not a Cow

We spend so much of our lives constantly trying to avoid the inevitable challenges that come along from the difficult circumstances that our very own choices have led us to be in. 
What buffaloes do is very unique for the animal kingdom.
What does this have to do with being the parent of adult children?  Steve and Julia have a unique way to get their point across about the tough struggles and trauma we have faced and how we can find freedom and healing while deepening healthy relationships with our adult kids. 
 
Buffalo Charge the Storm Story by Rory Vaden
Resources mentioned on today's podcast:
Will the Circle Be Unbroken?: A Memoir of Learning to Believe You’re Gonna Be Okay
 

Majoring on the Minors Fractures Relationship

We all do it.  We can't help it.  We choose hills to die on that we regret later and we ask ourselves, "Was it worth it?"
Choosing to bite our tongue and have relationship with our adult child(ren) over being right is key to pivoting well from "parent" to "partner." 
Join Steve and Julia on The Parent Pivot Podcast as they help us navigate the minefields that come up when our adult children like or do things we may not agree with.

When the Pivot to Partner Becomes Lonely: There's Hope!

Pivoting from a parent to a partner comes with a mixture of emotions. You might feel down, lonely, or a bit unsure about what to do with all the new free time you suddenly have. It's a big change, after all. Your job as the parent has shifted, and now it's time to watch your adult children make their way in the world.
On this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia shed some light on how we can navigate this season of life and become a help to our adult children at the same time. 
 
Be sure to check out the resources these recommended resources:
The Pause app.
Dwell app
Abide app
"Seven Desires: Looking Past What Separates Us to Learn What Connects Us" - by Mark Laaser.
 

How We Can Be an Advocate to Our In-Law Adult Kids: Interview with Actor Taylor Upchurch

Life used to be so simple.  You grew up.  Went to college.  Got married.  Bought a house.  Raised your family. Worked for 30-40 years in the same place.  Retired.  Got a gold watch.  Played golf until you died.  We called it "The American Dream."
Today - life looks VERY different and fitting into this mold is no longer possible for 90% of the population. Pivoting to being a partner who speaks life into their adult children and their spouses just got more complicated and confusing.
On today's Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia welcome their son-in-law, Taylor Upchurch, to hear his story and how we can become an advocate for our in-law adult kids as they navigate life in a different culture than we grew up in.  (Psssst!  Don't miss this one!)
 
Resources mentioned on the podcast:
"Guardian Angel" by Skip Moen.
 

When Your Anxiety Impacts Your Adult Child

Anxiety and control go hand in hand to destroy relationships and often times we are unaware of how our anxiety impacts our relationships with our adult child(ren).
On today's Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia reflect on what we can do to decrease our anxiety so that we can maintain healthy relationships and pivot well from parent to partner.
 

The Antagonistic Adult Child

If you google, "How to deal with an antagonistic adult children," quora.com will tell you:
     Avoid them. They're grown. You have no control over them or               their behavior. Focus on things you can control. Take good care of.       yourself.
Good thing you have The Parent Pivot Podcast to listen to!
On this episode, Steve and Julia will help you pivot with your antagonistic adult child in a way that shows them love and acceptance mixed in with a splash of curiosity and a dash of ownership to their childhood experiences. 
Resources mentioned on today's podcast:
1. "How We Love" by Miles and Kay Yerkovich
2. Take the RHETI Enneagram Test 
3. "The Road Back to You" by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile

Pivoting with Your In-Law Kids: Interview with Ashleigh Cummings

Your son or daughter has just gotten married, or is about to.  What does it look like to pivot from parent to partner with your new in-law kids?
On this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia sit down with their daughter-in-law, Ashleigh Cummings, for a transparent and insightful interview from her perspective on marrying into a different family than the one she was raised in. 
You'll hear from her heart as she shares about what she needs from her in-laws, especially around having kids, and how we can become healthy partners for our adult in-law kids.  Don't miss this one! (I know we say that a LOT, but we really mean it this time!)