In this episode of Facing the Dark, Wayne and Dr. Kathy explore a fascinating report published in Science examining nearly 35,000 elite performers. The surprising conclusion? Many of the world's most accomplished musicians, scientists, athletes, and chess masters were not early prodigies. In fact, early specialization often predicts burnout rather than lifelong excellence.

That challenges modern parenting.

In a culture that pushes optimization, early reading programs, elite travel teams, and accelerated academics, many parents feel pressure to help their children get ahead and stay ahead. But what if early polish is not the same as deep potential? What if rushing specialization actually limits exploration?

Dr. Kathy unpacks the deeper motivations behind our desire for prodigious children. Sometimes it's fear. Sometimes it's pride. Sometimes it's a longing for ease. And sometimes it's the subtle temptation to tie our identity to our children's performance.

The conversation moves beyond academics into identity formation. When competence becomes the foundation of a child's worth, the pyramid flips upside down. Security, not performance, must come first. Children thrive when they know they are loved unconditionally, when their identity is anchored in Christ, and when their gifts are discerned rather than demanded.

In this episode of Facing the Dark, Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy Koch explore a growing trend among so called "TV Moms," parents who allow television freely but restrict personal devices like iPads and phones. Is there really a difference? Or is all screen time the same?

Drawing on current research and practical parenting experience, Dr. Kathy explains why screens are not created equal. Television can become communal and conversational when used intentionally. Personal devices, however, are engineered for individual consumption and often create emotional ownership that's harder for kids to relinquish. But even TV loses its value when it becomes constant background noise.

The deeper concern isn't just screen exposure, it's what screens are replacing. Quiet. Conversation. Boredom. Creative play. Relational engagement. In a culture where something is always on, children are losing the natural rhythms that form identity: sitting, walking, listening, asking, and wondering. When noise fills every space, wisdom has no room to rise.

Dr. Kathy reminds parents that quiet is not empty. Quiet is formative. It's where discernment grows, where creativity sparks, where the Holy Spirit speaks. Identity is shaped not by constant input but by repeated relational moments in which children feel known and guided.

This episode challenges parents to reconsider not just how much media their kids consume, but whether screens are crowding out the spaces where character, connection, and confidence are built.

In this episode of Facing the Dark, Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy Koch explore a sobering reality: up to 70–80% of young adults aging out of foster care face homelessness, incarceration, addiction, or mental health struggles within just two years. What happens when young people are forced to launch without a runway?

The conversation moves from foster care to the everyday home. While many parents joke about 18 being the "launch date," real readiness isn't about a birthday; it's about preparation. Dr. Kathy unpacks how confidence and competence are built over time through identity formation, financial literacy, character development, and gradual responsibility. Launching isn't abrupt independence; it's scaffolded growth.

Using the image of learning to ride a bike, from tricycles to training wheels to open pavement, this episode reminds parents that scars are part of growth. Falling while learning to walk didn't mean failure. It meant development. The same is true when young adults stumble in the early stages of independence.

Ultimately, the deepest runway parents can build isn't dependence on mom and dad, but security in Christ. When identity is rooted in Jesus, young adults carry with them wisdom, conviction, companionship, and courage wherever they go. True launch readiness isn't just financial or emotional, it's spiritual.

If you're wondering how to raise kids who can step into adulthood with clarity and resilience, this episode will give you both vision and practical encouragement.