Family Rules! The Podcast is an entertaining and useful show that explores what makes families happy and healthy. Hear from parents who successfully handle issues like family finance, family communication, technology in the home, and other important topics that demand focus. Whether you're a new parent, or a grandparent, Family Rules! The Podcast is here to share inspiration and encouragement. https://www.byuradio.org/10928c24-8841-4cb7-9485-44a2111c83c3 en-us © 2026 BYU Broadcasting BYUradio BYUradio byurpodcasts@byu.edu false Episodic Brooke Walker hosts a TV show called Family Rules, and now she's expanding the show to a weekly podcast from BYUradio. She talks one-on-one with experts and parents to find out the rules and tools we can all use to be better parents. She looks at the family from all different angles—from technology to genealogy, from life hacks to life lessons. The Family Rules podcast is all about making families better. Join us every Friday, for a new episode of Family Rules: The Podcast, from BYUradio. Find it on the BYUradio app, on BYUradio.org, or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.byuradio.org/48f01225-cf20-4d22-bc7c-3b05660a1a25 48f01225cf20-4d22-bc7c-3b05660a1a25 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 07:00:00 GMT false 35 trailer “Practically perfect in every way.” Apparently, Mary Poppins got that one wrong! Mistakes and flaws are part of the learning experience and, according to author Brooke Romney, they are part of parenting! How she has learned to embrace her own weaknesses, while letting her children know mistakes are ok. https://www.byuradio.org/a181bceb-0e7e-4abc-865d-b5071d90f566 a181bceb0e7e-4abc-865d-b5071d90f566 Fri, 24 Dec 2021 07:00:00 GMT false 1554 full 1 40 You taught them to walk, talk, drive...but have you prepared your kids for the ins and outs of married life? Beyond just talking about the “birds and the bees,” sex educator Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife says it’s our job to equip children with a proper understanding of their bodies and sexuality. She talks to Brooke about how to take on this bigger topic… https://www.byuradio.org/7a57e136-29dd-4f52-b0cc-4efe461e306c 7a57e13629dd-4f52-b0cc-4efe461e306c Fri, 17 Dec 2021 07:00:00 GMT false 2129 full 1 39 Motherhood is one of life’s biggest milestones, but the truth is we’re all just winging it! Speaker and author Connie Sokol shares her personal growth journey into motherhood, as she and Brooke discuss what it means to remain true to you. https://www.byuradio.org/5d260eb3-6282-42e6-976b-598b61271c9a 5d260eb36282-42e6-976b-598b61271c9a Fri, 10 Dec 2021 07:00:00 GMT false 1907 full 1 38 As parents, it’s easy to feel discouraged when we inevitably make mistakes. Nobody’s perfect, but Lizzy Jensen, mother of five kids ages 8-2, says mistakes can be our best teacher. Lizzy is an attorney and founder of Small Seed. She talks with Brooke about embracing forgiveness as a parent. https://www.byuradio.org/027fb8db-279b-41c1-b999-c4683d03fb46 027fb8db279b-41c1-b999-c4683d03fb46 Fri, 03 Dec 2021 07:00:00 GMT false 1445 full 1 37 When it comes to teaching your kids, you might be afraid of a certain d-word in your home: discipline. According to Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, author and psychotherapist, discipline can be something that parents can reclaim and learn to appreciate. Tina shares with Brooke how parents can find their own discipline philosophies. https://www.byuradio.org/b891aee7-e397-4ae8-8871-54eb6309ed65 b891aee7e397-4ae8-8871-54eb6309ed65 Fri, 26 Nov 2021 07:00:00 GMT false 1698 full 1 36 More than just background noise, research shows music can be a powerful tool - to teach, lift, motivate and inspire. So how can you leverage that power within the walls of your own home? With more than 30 years of experience, music educator Tami VanDusen shares practical, actionable ways to use music to invite the Spirit and ultimately strengthen your family as you do. She and Brooke talk about their musical “first aid kits.” https://www.byuradio.org/4c86d090-d2f7-4a53-8ef9-7626e2c65c32 4c86d090d2f7-4a53-8ef9-7626e2c65c32 Fri, 19 Nov 2021 07:00:00 GMT false 1867 full 1 35 Grief is not an emotion - it’s a process. And it’s a tough topic Emilio Parga takes on everyday. As the founder of Solace Tree, a nonprofit organization that offers support to grieving children, teens and adults, Emilio shares with Brooke interesting insight about how children process loss...and how parents can feel more confident in helping their family through a trial like death. https://www.byuradio.org/3904f116-f429-4797-b5f1-29a1aa4097c0 3904f116f429-4797-b5f1-29a1aa4097c0 Fri, 12 Nov 2021 07:00:00 GMT false 2125 full 1 34 Adventure is out there! One of the greatest ways to bond as a family is to spend time in the great outdoors. Natalie Ockey, founder of Utah’s Adventure Family blog, discusses with Brooke ways she makes her love for nature a priority in family life. https://www.byuradio.org/79366ad3-9c54-4a12-abc8-63649426750f 79366ad39c54-4a12-abc8-63649426750f Fri, 05 Nov 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1332 full 1 33 Mindfulness is more than just a trend. Clinical psychologist Dr. Liz Hale has spent her career helping couples and families build strong, healthy relationships, and she believes the power of the stillness plays a big role in those kind of connections. She shares with Brooke how the busy, everyday family can use their BRAIN (breathe, regulate, achieve, impact & navigate) to practice mindfulness. https://www.byuradio.org/e282a972-11b5-4537-8729-a3d23877e02d e282a97211b5-4537-8729-a3d23877e02d Fri, 29 Oct 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1669 full 1 32 Hands-on learning can happen anywhere! The Wright family purposefully fills their home with creativity and curiosity and, for mom Sarah Jane, the pay off is big. This author and illustrator tells Brooke how she uses an empty calendar and a full craft closet to foster bright young minds. https://www.byuradio.org/e5b8f3fb-7fe5-40ca-bba3-7a21afbf9ad2 e5b8f3fb7fe5-40ca-bba3-7a21afbf9ad2 Fri, 22 Oct 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1876 full 1 31 Teaching kids to master technology is a top concern of every modern-day parent. It’s also the goal of Emily Jones, who created “Family Tech University.” She shares with Brooke how parents can help their kids tap into an internal filter and why it’s important to teach stillness. https://www.byuradio.org/9f4694ca-96e5-4f69-960f-a96dea350cde 9f4694ca96e5-4f69-960f-a96dea350cde Fri, 15 Oct 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2087 full 1 30 Blending and mixing personalities in a family can be a tricky recipe to perfect. Raising an introvert is no easy feat for Jessie Funk, public speaker, author, professional singer and self-proclaimed extrovert. Brooke asks Jessie how boundaries and finding common ground has worked in her motherhood... https://www.byuradio.org/a86bfeb5-2a12-4c12-8afb-17a5635f634e a86bfeb52a12-4c12-8afb-17a5635f634e Fri, 08 Oct 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1687 full 1 29 The soccer mom just might be the most important member of the team - team family, that is! He’s helped coach all the big teams to success, but today performance consultant Justin Su’a helps you motivate your own young athletes in the right way. Brooke and Justin chat about being appropriately involved in your kids’ extracurriculars, and how to use sports and other activities to build resilience and character. https://www.byuradio.org/62b8aa57-7a4d-4932-b45a-3920209cc703 62b8aa577a4d-4932-b45a-3920209cc703 Fri, 01 Oct 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2359 full 1 28 Grandparents have the unique ability to pass on wisdom and love from one generation to the next. One particularly important principle to pass on is managing finances. Authors Richard and Linda Eyre explain how a family bank can help take down entitlement. https://www.byuradio.org/102c4499-ca4b-42e1-886d-eb633614ce25 102c4499ca4b-42e1-886d-eb633614ce25 Fri, 24 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2007 full 1 27 Could you stop eating at Chick-Fil-A for a whole year? How much money would that save your family? Amanda Christensen, an accredited financial counselor and associate professor with Utah State University Extension, discusses how the “step-down principle” could save your family money and how to smartly budget within your means. https://www.byuradio.org/90dc3881-88a7-4284-a92d-62466080e08e 90dc388188a7-4284-a92d-62466080e08e Fri, 17 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1263 full 1 26 In between sticky fingers and unwashed hair, there are always flecks of gold that make parenting worth it. Brooke invites Rachel Nielsen of the popular “3 in 30 Podcast” to share advice on how she finds daily joy in motherhood. https://www.byuradio.org/b7bbc6ef-2a17-492a-b4b4-d57c4a2084b9 b7bbc6ef2a17-492a-b4b4-d57c4a2084b9 Fri, 10 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1900 full 1 25 These days taking the photos is the easy part! We are all walking around with a camera - a cell phone - in our hand. Getting them off our phones is another story. Co-founders of Chatbooks On today’s episode, Nate and Vanessa Quigley explain how photos are an important part of the family narrative and can even lead to more confident children. https://www.byuradio.org/0aa56cc9-d2e2-4ed2-8fe3-8b54016d55d0 0aa56cc9d2e2-4ed2-8fe3-8b54016d55d0 Fri, 03 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1814 full 1 24 It’s a lot of work to rally the family together regularly, so how can we make those efforts count? Family Researcher Heather Johnson joins Brooke to share why something as simple as brushing your teeth can create family bonds. https://www.byuradio.org/0849d5b2-f812-41a6-936b-59204634a812 0849d5b2f812-41a6-936b-59204634a812 Fri, 27 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2332 full 1 23 Do your teens need a reality check? Getting kids to be selfless on their own is an ultimate parenting goal, and author Dr. Hank Smith believes kids can learn to be big-hearted. He and Brooke discuss scenarios that help distinguish if kids might be acting selfless or selfish, and how you can help bring out their very best. https://www.byuradio.org/212d0d14-91a8-4efb-8144-8de608403918 212d0d1491a8-4efb-8144-8de608403918 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2393 full 1 22 Time to grow your girl power! Kristin Hodson, an author, licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist and founder of The Healing Group, shares why self-worth is the superpower inside every girl. She tells Brooke about her own meaning of the word “grit” - and why our girls need more of it! https://www.byuradio.org/4dd7d794-bce5-4e24-a216-c55ea4830419 4dd7d794bce5-4e24-a216-c55ea4830419 Fri, 13 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1570 full 1 21 Kitchen closed? Apparently the pantry doesn’t have to be open 24-hours a day! Bringing a refreshing straight-talk to every day eating, registered dietician and mother of 3 Miki Eberhardt believes when parents interfere with eating, the more issues you’ll see. She talks Brooke through the specific needs and goals of eating at every age.... (spoiler alert: parents of picky preschoolers, we see you!) https://www.byuradio.org/c11d3f4a-2729-4e49-b67e-fbb2d08104ba c11d3f4a2729-4e49-b67e-fbb2d08104ba Fri, 06 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2038 full 1 20 From the board room to the family room! Marriage and family therapist David Kozlowski believes running the family like a business can help children and family members gain opportunities and have purpose. Brooke and David discuss “The Family Business Model,” complete with CEOs, managers, and quarterlies. https://www.byuradio.org/8dd860e6-8ad2-42a0-a897-54dff034b8e7 8dd860e68ad2-42a0-a897-54dff034b8e7 Fri, 30 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1620 full 1 19 It’s the mom movement taking over Instagram! Have you heard of the “no-yell challenge?” Parenting coach Ralphie Jacobs explains how to use this challenge to be a more positive parent. Listen and learn how her favorite quote “water the flowers, not the weeds” can be the parenting game changer your family needs... https://www.byuradio.org/5cbd3847-6382-458c-bf7b-789c6a3d1cda 5cbd38476382-458c-bf7b-789c6a3d1cda Fri, 23 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1745 full 1 18 Dads rule! The bond of a child and their father is so special and unique. It’s a relationship that best-selling author Jason Wright considers to be one of the most important. He shares with Brooke how losing his father at a young age has inspired him in his own fatherhood...and the one thing women can do to help strengthen the role. https://www.byuradio.org/01a03aa8-0725-403e-a23a-75757afa629f 01a03aa80725-403e-a23a-75757afa629f Fri, 16 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1240 full 1 17 “Every star is different and so is every child.” This popular Primary song lyric is one that Alex and Julie Boye take to heart. He is a singer, songwriter and musician. She is an author and self-proclaimed “mominator,” and together they strive to honor the individual personalities and strengths of their 8 (!) kids. The Boyes share with Brooke how they do it... https://www.byuradio.org/16815a99-1d83-4da5-8aa2-d5dd6144292e 16815a991d83-4da5-8aa2-d5dd6144292e Fri, 09 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1884 full 1 16 Responsibility doesn’t have to be something that’s ambiguous when raising kids. Dr. Tom Golightly, a clinical psychologist who also works with young athletes, knows how to get into the heads of young people to help them perform their very best. Hear how a solid link between choices and consequences can be a helpful teacher, and why it’s important to show our own humanity as a parent. https://www.byuradio.org/be2433bd-6300-4ca1-b494-b75f5645e7d9 be2433bd6300-4ca1-b494-b75f5645e7d9 Fri, 02 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2176 full 1 15 Work hard, serve hard, play hard (in that order!) is just one of the mantras that Georgia Anderson lives by. And as a relationship and personal coach, Georgia believes family mantras are an important way to motivate yourself as a parent. She shares with Brooke five power phrases that will act as a mini parenting pep talk when the days feel rough. https://www.byuradio.org/caa5d286-719b-4e78-9755-30cc99b9cf8b caa5d286719b-4e78-9755-30cc99b9cf8b Fri, 25 Jun 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2159 full 1 14 Among your grocery items, daily tasks, and carpools, is your marriage on your to-do list? Today’s guest says it should be at the top! Dr. Matt Townsend joins Brooke again to ask the important question, “do you put your marriage first?” and to bring his expertise, research, and humor to the topic. https://www.byuradio.org/bde9eb37-bb54-4f12-8965-82c8c8573a8f bde9eb37bb54-4f12-8965-82c8c8573a8f Fri, 18 Jun 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1490 full 1 13 We’ve all done it...that iPad can be a helpful babysitter! But for family tech editor Amy Iverson, there’s a smarter way to parent with technology on your team. She shares with Brooke what’s new and changing on the family tech front, and why “absolutes” don’t work. https://www.byuradio.org/610e321d-bc25-4dff-a2fe-50f1e6aa6bfd 610e321dbc25-4dff-a2fe-50f1e6aa6bfd Fri, 11 Jun 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1607 full 1 12 It’s not something to do when the to-do list is done - in fact, it should be ON your to-do list! In today’s episode, Brooke talks to family researcher Heather Johnson about the power of play, why we need it, when to get more of it, and how to make the playful moments already happening at home really count. https://www.byuradio.org/e062ccaa-fb00-469f-aafb-83a506563a5b e062ccaafb00-469f-aafb-83a506563a5b Fri, 04 Jun 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1583 full 1 11 When it comes to happiness, there is no “one-size-fits-all” method. That’s what Gretchen Rubin, best-selling author and podcaster, believes. However, she does say that the first step to being more happy is finding out which of the four tendencies you lean towards: obliger, upholder, questioner or rebel. Gretchen chats with Brooke about how these tendencies can be used to strengthen family relationships. https://www.byuradio.org/7fba13af-6034-40d3-9363-0299a8701e8c 7fba13af6034-40d3-9363-0299a8701e8c Fri, 28 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1064 full 1 10 Nike said it first: “Just Do It!” But health and fitness expert Melanie Douglass has her own line: “Just Have Fun!” She joins Brooke to discuss how to make family fitness both successful and fun (spoiler alert: you don’t need a strict plan or an expensive gym membership!) https://www.byuradio.org/eba8c545-9378-4f67-92ed-fa5b553b1a37 eba8c5459378-4f67-92ed-fa5b553b1a37 Fri, 21 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1452 full 1 9 It’s the frosting of parenting! Brooke speaks with Sister Elaine Dalton, former president of the Young Women organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, about her experience as a grandma, and her perspective on this divine role. https://www.byuradio.org/2792d160-f2b0-445c-add3-b5697f0f208e 2792d160f2b0-445c-add3-b5697f0f208e Fri, 14 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1517 full 1 8 Dried beans, dusty cans...what’s the status of your 72-hour kit? Jill Meredith and her family have experienced a wildfire, mudslide, earthquakes and a pandemic….and say each disaster helped prepare them for the next. Brooke breaks down what they’ve learned, and what you can do to prepare in a modern way. https://www.byuradio.org/243b9b08-c59e-4c56-9dcd-a27b8117f466 243b9b08c59e-4c56-9dcd-a27b8117f466 Fri, 07 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1872 full 1 7 If your house was a classroom...would it make the grade? Liz Kirk of Alcott Learning believes home is the most powerful learning environment for kids...and parents are their most powerful teachers! Listen as Liz shares how understanding the four phases of learning will help you customise your parent-teacher role. https://www.byuradio.org/fd9ecc8e-59c5-4a7f-96cb-ad10a57df4c8 fd9ecc8e59c5-4a7f-96cb-ad10a57df4c8 Fri, 30 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1797 full 1 6 On and off the court, Mark and Lee Anne Pope believe in the power of hardwork - a characteristic they purposefully teach their four daughters. This BYU Basketball coach and his wife talk to Brooke about boosting work ethic and teamwork in the family. https://www.byuradio.org/766b024c-810c-477c-8b8c-fe22b7d7b756 766b024c810c-477c-8b8c-fe22b7d7b756 Fri, 23 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2119 full 1 5 More than just something to do, the research is clear: kids need a purpose to thrive. Brad Wilcox, second counselor in the Young Men’s General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shares with Brooke the importance of encouraging youth to follow their passions and find their purpose (spoiler alert: there can be purpose even in a passion like video gaming!) https://www.byuradio.org/cf86f400-a187-4cf4-81ed-212a2b20516e cf86f400a187-4cf4-81ed-212a2b20516e Fri, 16 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 2211 full 1 4 Having emotional resilience in your family sometimes requires ninja-like agility! Brooke meets with Dr. Matt Townsend, a professor, author and relationship coach with more than 20 years of experience, to discuss how to teach children that they can do hard things and find solutions to their problems. https://www.byuradio.org/f0303fd3-b4e7-4875-8682-7272817458b1 f0303fd3b4e7-4875-8682-7272817458b1 Fri, 09 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1748 full 1 3 Team family! Brooke chats with Maria Eckersly, founder of "Meck Mom Life", about how to cultivate a more close-knit culture at home. Her secret weapon: fun! https://www.byuradio.org/2ccc100a-6a98-44fc-afeb-8df6c6fb10f4 2ccc100a6a98-44fc-afeb-8df6c6fb10f4 Fri, 02 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1801 full 1 2 They travel the country to introduce you to families of all kinds...and now we get to meet theirs! Brooke invites her "Family Rules" television co-hosts, Yahosh Bonner and Natalie Riskas, to share the rules and routines they put into practice at home for smoother, stronger family connections. Episode credits: Producers: Jim Bell, Brooke Walker, Sarah Collins Lead Audio Engineers: Clarke Jackman, Dan Carlisle, Marcus Richardson Audio Mixers: Andrew Brewer, Camille Jones, Chance Anderson, Dan Ekberg, Kyra Vanhoven, Laken Quigley, Parker Schmidt, Caleb Rhoton, Tyler Judkins, Zach Williams Extra technical assistance: Sam Sabin https://www.byuradio.org/25fcbc5c-ed0a-4220-b3e6-fed439c58b25 25fcbc5ced0a-4220-b3e6-fed439c58b25 Fri, 26 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT false 1964 full 1 1