Them Before Us Podcast

Join the TBU team for our great big Father's Day episode! We've got interviews with Robin Porter from LoveLife, Roland Warren, the CEO of CareNet, a "Here for the Comments" segment on the best dads in media, and all our staff join together to share about their own mothers and fathers and the positive impact they made on each, growing up.

Pastor Robin Porter has served in church ministry for over twenty years in various roles, including as lead pastor of Eastside Bible Fellowship in Bellevue, WA. He was introduced to the ministry of LOVE LIFE two...

We just graded all 50 states on how well — or how badly — their laws protect children when it comes to parentage, surrogacy, donor conception, and marriage. Two-thirds of states got a C or below. One state got an A. In this episode, you'll meet the man whose state earned it — and the team that built the tool every family advocate in America needs right now.

Go explore the Children's Rights Scorecard and find your state's grade at thembeforeus.comIN THIS EPISODENate Grasz — Executive Director of Nebraska Family Alliance, the largest Christian public policy organization in Nebraska. Nate led the pass...

It's a special Them Before Us staff takeover as the gang gets together, in Brady Bunch style boxes, to share favorite mom and dad moments. Then Jenn and Sam go through some of the amazing moms in the movies as we round out the end of our Greater Than week of celebrating moms.

What's a favorite memory you have of your mom and dad?

And if you think every child deserves the mom and dad they came from, join us at greaterthancampaign.com.

If you've caught Micah Kunkle debating "Progressive" ideas on Jubilee or other platforms, you already know he's the real deal.

Micah joins the TBU podcast to talk debate strategy, why so many young men are drawn to "strong male" influencers pushing harmful ideas, and how we can engage Gen Z in the fight for children's rights.

He's one of those rare voices who's both a rigorous thinker and genuinely kind in disagreement, there's a lot to learn just from watching him.

📺 Find Micah:

Youtube  ⁨@micahkunkle⁩ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micah...

What actually holds a nation together when everything feels like it’s coming apart?This week, Jenn sits down with Tim Goeglein to unpack the convictions behind his new book, What Really Matters: Restoring a Legacy of Faith, Freedom, and FamilyDrawing from history, culture, and personal experience, Goeglein makes a clear case: the future of freedom rises or falls on the strength of faith, family, and character.He challenges the quiet erosion of the American family, pointing out that when marriage weakens, everything downstream feels it. Strong families don’t just benefit children. They stabilize communities, shape responsible men, and...

Big news out of South Dakota, fertility fraud is now a felony! Learn more about how Them Before Us played a part in inspiring this legislation, sponsored by SD Representative Terri Jorgenson, and what it means for children's rights.

See more from Rep. Jorgenson at her substack here:

https://sdcapitoldiary.substack.com/

Terri is a proud South Dakotan with a deep-rooted connection to her community. With a strong background in military operations and public affairs, she is committed to fighting for conservative values and protecting liberties in District 29. Terri's experience as a State...

Friend of Them Before Us, Katy Talento is a Harvard-trained epidemiologist, naturopathic doctor, and former Trump White House health policy advisor who spent two decades inside the DC healthcare machine — then left to help everyday people and employers outsmart it. She writes about health policy, natural medicine, and how to live like a human — from real food and hormonal health to how to cut your medical bills in half using rules she personally helped write. All of it's at KatyTalento.com.

For some of her recent articles, check out:

What are we teaching our children about America, and what are we neglecting?

Jenn is joined by Katie Broussard, founder of The Littlest Statesmen and author of The Great George Washington, the first book in a seven-part series that introduces young children to the lives and characters of America’s Founders. A simple question from her three-year-old daughter about the Fourth of July led Katie to recognize how few resources exist to teach young children about the nation’s history, ideals, and sacrifices. That realization became a calling.

In this conversation, Katie explains why the earl...

Katy and Jenn talk about the #GreaterThan launch, a coalition of most major Christian and conservative groups and thought leaders, to retake marriage and restore it to the institution that best protects children in society. Learn more at greaterthancampaign.comThen Jenn has a conversation with Emilee Carpenter, an NY photographer who took the state to court over her objections to using her creative voice in violation of her conscience regarding marriage. Learn more about her and see her work at https://www.emileecarpenter.com/

Katy's recent post promoting the #LiveAction Young Leader summit, where she is speaking this year, garnered some comments from someone claiming Katy is anti-adoption. Katy goes on the record with her controversial take on adoption and answers the question once and for all, where she stands on the topic.

How can governments incentivize couples to have more babies? What do you do when your fun mom group turns exclusive and "toxic"? And, in case you missed it, a "Here for the Comments" conversation about all the hate Katy got on her post about overturning Obergefell.

In this episode, Jenn talks with Aimee Huber of First Choice Women’s Resource Centers and ADF attorney Gabriella McIntyre about how the New Jersey Attorney General has used his power to target a pro-life ministry that has never had a single complaint.

First Choice has spent decades walking with women in their most vulnerable moments by offering real support, real resources, and real hope at no cost. Now the state is demanding years of private records, including donor names and addresses, while partnering with Planned Parenthood to undermine the work of those who actually help moms ch...

The industry that promotes illicit sexual behavior targets children because it wants life-long customers. The reality is that it’s not a matter of if your kids will see pornography but when. This should not scare parents. It’s a chance to get prepared and to help your children be ready when the moment comes.

Kristen A. Jenson is the founder of Defend Young Minds® and the #1 bestselling author of Good Pictures, Bad Pictures.

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures and Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Jr. are read-aloud books that teach young children how to reject pornography. Her b...

In this episode, Jenn is joined by Birjan Crispin, the Deputy Director of the Good Citizen Project with the Indiana Family Institute, where they talk about his story of adoption and the best ways for Christians to be good citizens, promoting what is best for human flourishing.Learn more at https://www.goodcitizen.us/ and follow Birjan at https://www.instagram.com/birjancrispin98/-------------------------Bio: Born in Ruse, Bulgaria and adopted at the age of two, Birjan brings a powerful and personal narrative to the world of public policy, leadership, and faith. Raised in Wheaton, Illinois, and a graduate of...

In this episode, we sit down with Phil and Melody to talk about Family Preservation Ministries and their upcoming UNSHAKABLE 2026 Conference. Their mission is clear: to protect, preserve, and strengthen families through the local church—helping people before they reach crisis or end up in the foster care and adoption system.

Grounded in the Gospel, this ministry is church-driven, professionally supported, financially healthy, and deeply collaborative. Through coaching, advocacy, and networking, they empower ministries to proclaim the Gospel, equip churches, steward resources wisely, and model generosity—all while making collaboration simple and effective.

Learn more abou...

You'll enjoy this conversation with Maddie! Check out her bio below and go follow her on Tiktok!

"My name is Maddie, and I am a 22-year-old recent college graduate. I consider myself to be a Pro-Life activist. I was raised in a Christian-Conservative home, so my worldview has been wholly shaped bythe authority of Scripture. God has placed the desire in my heart to advocate against abortion and for all humans, preborn and born alike, tohave equal protection under the law. I refuse to be silent on the injustice being committed against the Imago...

Colson Center’s John Stonestreet joins the Them Before Us podcast to discuss the new documentary Truth Rising. The film explores the rise of Western Civilization, the profound impact it has had on human history, why it’s now at risk, and what we can do to preserve it. TBU’s Katy Faust is also featured in the film. Truth Rising premieres September 5—don’t miss it!------------------

John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center. He’s a sought-after speaker and author on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education and apologetics. John is the daily voice of Brea...

Stephanie Gray Connors is a leading voice in the pro-life movement, known for her remarkable ability to explain the ethics of life from womb to tomb in a way that is clear, practical, and easy to apply. She shares how her professional work has shaped her personal conversations, why both IVF and abortion violate the pro-life ethic, and her own story of marrying and starting a family later in life. Explore her links to learn more about her work."Connors is a seasoned and international speaker, originally from Canada, who began presenting at the age of 18. She has given...

Today, Jenn is joined by Chelsey Painter Davis, "whose viral videos have broken the ice on disability and shattered stereotypes through her shockingly relatable humor, breath-catching stories, and vivacious charm.Growing up a survivor of in-vitro fertilization, Chelsey has never been afraid to question modern preconceptions surrounding reproductive healthcare. She lost her vision due to birth control pills she was pressured to take when she was only 19 years old and started sharing her story publicly in 2019. Then when her son was targeted for abortion after a prenatal diagnosis in 2021, she took on the mantle of ProLife speaker to share...

In this episode, Jenn has a conversation with Mirjam from the Netherlands. Share this story if you know someone who has struggled with loss and infertility. Check out her full bio and website below:My name is Mirjam and I'm married to Ido. We live in the southwest of the Netherlands. I was 38 when we got married. I always wanted to become a mother. In my thirties I decided to trust God for a man and children. After a miscarriage, I became pregnant again with our daughter, Rachel. She was born with a chromosome abnormality trisomy 13. After her death...

In his second time on the Them Before Us podcast, Professor Robert P. George shared about his new book: "Seeking Truth & Speaking Truth: Law and Morality in our Cultural Moment." In his decades as a professor, George has taught between 8,000-10,000 students in the Ivy Leagues and hopes this resource will shift our culture back to reason and truth seeking instead of emotionalism.

Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Things-Through-Morality-Culture/dp/1641774215

Check out Episode #019, where Professor George lays out "natural law" and why it matters for children: https...

In this episode, Jenn interviews Let Them Live co-founder Emily Berning about how the organization is giving practical support to women who feel they don't have any other choice but abortion. Emily also shares the journey she and her husband have been on with embryo adoption.

Subcribe to our substack to get more resources to equip you for these sorts of conversations with your family and friends: www. thembeforeus.substack.com

Bio: "Emily Berning is the President and Co-Founder of Let

Them Live, a 501...

Jenn interviews Maridel Sandberg, the President and Founder of Together for Good, a national nonprofit launched in 2017 to partner with the local church in supporting vulnerable families before a crisis leads to separation.

If we can get to moms who need support before their children get involved in the government system, think how many lives could be positively changed! This was a great conversation and a great place to get involved.

More info below:

https://www.tfgood.org/

Full B...

Jenn chats with a new connection from Spain, Rosana Montes, whose unique story has led her to caring for children and equipping adults in Spain with a restored understanding of the importance of marriage and family. If you have any connections in Spain, email us@thembeforeus.com so we can connect you. Let's get Them Before Us in Spain!

------"My name is Rosana, and I hold an Associate Degree in Childcare and am currently completing a Bachelor's Degree in Social Education at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). I work with children who experience learning disorders...

Jenn sits down with EksAyn Anderson, author, speaker, and founder of the Dadfluence movement, to discuss why fathers are one of the most critical forces shaping the future of children and society. From the heartbreaking story of losing his mother at age eight to practical, research-based parenting wisdom, EksAyn challenges men to reclaim fatherhood as their primary calling and reminds us that building strong families isn't just personal; it's civilizational.

They discuss how fathers can overcome common struggles like distraction, workaholism, and addiction, and reflect on what a five-year-old’s hike up an 11,700-foot mountain reveals about bu...

In this Legal Watch episode of the Them Before Us podcast, Jenn and Patience unpack a new Louisiana bill framed as “protecting IVF”, but which, in reality, dismantles key legal protections for human embryos.

Patience explains how the bill, introduced by Senator Thomas Pressly, misrepresents the now-infamous “Alabama situation” to justify stripping parental rights at fertilization, limiting legal accountability for negligent IVF clinics, and replacing adoption language with property-style “donation” terms.

Rather than improving care or safety, the bill prioritizes shielding the IVF industry from consequences, jeopardizing Louisiana’s national leadership in pro-life embryo protections. The episode ca...

(Note from Jenn: You may notice a slight echo in the first 1-2 minutes of audio but we were able to figure it out! Thanks for your patience as we ironed out the early wrinkles!)

In this #ANDnotOR feature episode of the Them Before Us podcast, Jenn sits down with long-time friends and fellow children's rights advocates Cameron and Tracee Linder to talk marriage, parenting, and building a family culture that honors both truth and grace. From clashing hospitality styles to cowboy independence vs. military discipline, the Linders share how their opposite personalities and gender differences can...

In this episode of the Them Before Us podcast, Dr. Jennifer Mercier shares her inspiring journey through women's health and fertility. As the creator of Mercier Therapy, a natural method that helps women conceive, she offers a meaningful look into alternatives to IVF. Drawing from her own experience with endometriosis and infertility, Dr. Mercier opens up about the emotional and ethical concerns surrounding the fertility industry, including what happens to frozen embryos. She also highlights the importance of protecting both women's well-being and children’s rights. You will also get a preview of her upcoming documentary Conceiving Miracles and he...

Boardroom or babies? Why not both? In this conversation, Jenn is joined by Carrie Abbott, speaker, author, national radio host, and the Founder and Director of The Legacy Institute, to talk about the strength and beauty of womanhood.

With decades of experience as a teacher, corporate professional, and now a leading voice on faith and family, Carrie brings her unique perspective on how women can thrive in every season of life. She reminds us that women can have it all, just not all at once.

Carrie shares her personal journey and how her passion for...

This episode of the Them Before Us podcast features a conversation with professor and author Nancy Pearcey, exploring what it means to truly love the body and uphold the dignity of the human person. Drawing from her book "Love Thy Body", Pearcey outlines the intellectual and personal journey that shaped her convictions and dives into the cultural narratives that separate humanity from both biological reality and God-given identity.

Check out Love Thy Body on Amazon

The discussion unpacks how the separation of body and personhood is influencing today’s most critical ethical issues, including abortion, tr...

In this powerful episode, author and cultural commentator Adam B. Coleman shares his deeply personal journey from childhood pain to redemptive purpose. Adam opens up about breaking generational cycles and transforming from a young man struggling with fatherlessness to being the father his son deserves.

In his new book, "The Children We Left Behind: How Western Culture Rationalizes Family Separation & Ignores the Pain of Child Neglect", Adam unflinchingly shares his own experiences of abandonment and fatherlessness to shed light on a broader cultural crisis. He boldly challenges the notion that family breakdown is a race-specific issue, arguing...

In this episode of the Them Before Us podcast, Jenn sits down with Aaron Baer, President of the Center for Christian Virtue, to discuss the compelling findings from The Hope and a Future Report. Together, they explore how the decline of marriage and family structure contributes to rising poverty, violence, and mental health struggles—and why strengthening the family unit may be the key to reversing these trends. With insights from research by Brad Wilcox and practical policy solutions, this conversation offers a powerful call to action for lawmakers, churches, and communities alike. See more at https://www.ccv.or...

In this episode Bobby Lopez shares his deeply personal journey of growing up in a home shaped by divorce and same-sex parenting. Reflecting on the struggles of identity, family connection, and the societal shifts that redefined marriage and parenting, Bobby provides a raw and honest account of how these experiences shaped his worldview.

He discusses his transition from childhood confusion to adult advocacy, his professional sacrifices for speaking the truth, and how faith and fatherhood ultimately brought healing. A must-listen for anyone interested in children's rights, family structure, and the long-term effects of redefining marriage. #ThemBeforeUs

In a world where culture is discipling our kids faster than ever, how can parents reclaim their role as the primary influence in their children’s faith? Join us as we sit down with Hillary Morgan Ferrer, founder of Mama Bear Apologetics, to discuss the biggest cultural lies targeting kids today—and how parents can equip them with biblical truth.

From shaping worldviews to tackling tough conversations on gender, sexuality, and media influence, this episode is a must-listen for every parent who wants to raise bold believers in an increasingly hostile world.

For...

In this episode of the Them Before Us podcast, host Jenn sits down with Mark DeGrasse, creator of Dads in Autism Land, to explore the unique challenges and triumphs of fatherhood on the autism spectrum. Mark shares raw insights into balancing the needs of his two sons—one severely autistic and nonverbal, the other neurotypical—while navigating the emotional and relational complexities that come with parenting. From wrestling with societal expectations to the realities of marriage under pressure, this episode highlights the resilience and love that define special needs families.https://dadsinautismland.com/https://markdegrasse.comMark de Grasse is a de...

In this episode, we considered something many folks haven't thought of, offering human embryos that have died in the IVF process Christian burial. Jenn chats with Laura Elm, the Founder and Director of Sacred Heart Guardians, the Catholic charity that provides dignity to these little human lives so they aren't discarded with medical waste.

Tell us what you think and learn more at:

https://sacredheartguardians.org/

What happens when culture tries to redefine marriage, gender, and family? In this episode of theThem Before Us podcast, Jenn sits down with Glenn T. Stanton, Director of Global Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family, to discuss why marriage still matters—especially to young people—and the vital role biological parents play in a child's well-being.

They dive into the cultural shifts that have led to the decline of marriage, the false narratives surrounding family structure, and why the belief that "love makes a family" is a dangerous myth. Glenn also tackles the rise of gend...

What happens when a community steps up to support families in crisis? In this episode, we sit down with Christine Denova, Executive Director of Idahope Families, to discuss how this ministry is mobilizing the church to provide real, hands-on help to struggling parents and children. From crisis pregnancy support to hosting children in safe homes while parents regain stability, Idahope is proving that pro-life means more than just being against abortion—it means surrounding families with the love and resources they need to thrive."We're not here to replace families; we're here to support them. Every parent needs someone to...

Every baby born in America today starts life $80,000 in debt. In this powerful episode, Jenn is joined by fiscal expert Phil Kerpen to talk about how reckless federal spending, runaway debt, and economic myths are setting our kids up for disaster.

Kerpen, president of American Commitment and a long-time advocate for free market principles, makes the case that true pro-child politics must include fiscal responsibility. He unpacks the dangers of over-reliance on government spending, why “taxing the rich” is no solution, and how long-term debt could cripple the futures of our children and grandchildren.

This is a...

Warning: Adult Themes/Conversation Them Before Us has taken a bold stand to protect children online by submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in defense of Texas' age-verification law for accessing adult content. This critical law, challenged by the "Free Speech Coalition"—an industry group defending p0rnographic interests—represents a vital step toward shielding kids from harm. TBU’s brief presents a compelling children’s rights argument, emphasizing why such protections are the bare minimum states should enforce. Joining Jenn in this impactful discussion, Founder and President Katy Faust and Engagement Director Patience Sunne dive into why this...