On the next Parent Pivot Podcast, Dr. James Banks joins us with a story every parent needs to hear. He opens up about his son Geoff — a bright, likable kid who spiraled into addiction and walked far from faith… and the raw, hard years his family lived through as they prayed without giving up.

Dr. Banks shares what it really looked like to trust God through fear, anger, shame, and unanswered prayers — and how, through grace and love, Geoff not only came back — he discovered purpose and now serves in ministry alongside his dad.

If you’re carrying hope for a prodigal — or praying for a relationship that feels lost — this conversation will encourage your heart and renew your faith that hope really does lie ahead.

Resources mentioned on this podcast:

1. "Prayers for Prodigals" by Dr. James Banks.

2. "Hope Lies Ahead: Encouragement for Parents of Prodigals From a Family That's Been There" by James Banks & Geoff Banks

3. www.jamesbanks.org

4. Other books by James Banks.

Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com

For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org

One of the pains of our hearts is when we hear from our listeners that their is a broken relationship with an adult child. Maybe they have cut-off all communication and Mom & Dad are left wondering, "What can we do?"

On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia welcome Dr. Ken Canfield and his wife Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield to the podcast to dive deeper into this subject and bring hope to hurting pivoting partners.

If you have an adult child who is not speaking to you, or know someone who is going through this, this podcast is for you/them. Please share it, rate it, and write a review.

[Podcast production note: We apologize for the change in audio about halfway through. We lost internet connection to our recording platform and had to use our laptop speakers as mic's.]

Resources mentioned on this podcast:

1. "Let’s Talk: Conversation starters for Dads & Daughters" by Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield.

2. "Forgiving the Unforgiveable" by Beverly Flanagan

3. For a FREE copy of the 6-step process Dr.Michelle mentioned on today's podcast - A PROCESS FOR FORGIVENESS - send us an email: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com and we will send it to you

Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com

Background on today's guests:

Ken Canfield PhD, is a nationally-known leader and scholar, and has committed his life to strengthening fathers and families. He founded and is president of the National Center for Fathering (www.fathers.com), as well as the National Association for Grandparenting (www.grandkidsmatter.org), and continues to engage in several organizations dedicated to improving family well-being.

Michelle Watson Canfield, PhD, LPC, is a national speaker, author, professional counselor of 30 years, and founder of The Abba Project, a nine-month group forum for dads whose daughters are in their teens and 20’s. She writes guest articles regularly for journals and magazines as well as her own bi-monthly Dad-Daughter Friday blog, and is the host the award-winning The Dad Whisperer Podcast.

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.”

A new year has begun—and so has a new season of The Parent Pivot Podcast.

After a season of loss, reflection, and hard conversations, we are back with a powerful reminder for parents of adult children.

Today we talk about grief, legacy, forgiveness, and what really matters when the noise fades.

How do you stop majoring on the minors? How do you keep short accounts with your adult kids? And what kind of parent do you want them to remember when you’re gone?

This conversation will challenge you to pivot—from control to connection, from parenting to partnering. If you want healthier relationships with your adult children in 2026, this episode is for you.

Pivoting from "Mamma parent" to "Mamma partner" can be one of the toughest things you'll ever have to do - especially if you have an adult son.

On this Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia discuss the unique dynamics of the Mother/Son relationship and what you want that to look like as they start their own life without you as the #1 woman in their life. It's not a sad story and doesn't have to be. Find out how to see the joy in this next season.

Resources mentioned on this podcast:

1. "A Tale of Two Brains - Men's Brain Women's Brain" - Mark Gungor.

2. "The Parent Pivot" - by Steve and Julia Cummings.

Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com

For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org

It happens to all of us at some time. Our kids become adults. Leave home. Get married. And all their stuff from childhood remains in our basements and garages.

What does that have to do with pivoting from parent to partner?

On this Best of The Parent Pivot podcast, we get an insightful look at how Julia faced this recently and what this "emotional torture" taught her in her pivot to partner.

Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com

For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org

One dynamic that comes into play as we pivot from being a parent to a partner is: What is the balance between financially helping our adult child(ren) - and enabling them?

Whether it's paying for college, a car, a down payment on a new home, or childcare for the grand babies, how much is too much? Especially when you aren't seeing any grateful hearts and expectations begin to take over because, "Mom and Dad will cover it."

Can you relate?

On this "Best of" editon of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia sort that tension out for us and provide wisdom to help you have the right conversation with your spouse about how generosity plays out for you with your adult child(ren). Don't miss it!

For a free copy of "The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn, text Steve at 714-742-9625 or email parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com

Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com

For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org

In the Cummings' kitchen is a wooden plaque that says, "Simplify." We often get overwhelmed in life trying to balance, juggle, and learn new things. Don't you wish you could just simplify life more?

On today's Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia help us simplify how we can focus on a few things on the road to becoming a champion partner to our adult children.

Resources mentioned on this "Best of" podcast:

1. "How We Love" by Milan and Kay Yerkovich

2. Take the Enneagram Test here

3. "The Road Back to You" for understanding and insight.

Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com

For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org