meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Don't Mom Alone Podcast

The Parenting Shift That Changes Everything :: David Thomas & Sissy Goff [Ep 572]

Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Parenting, Leisure, Education, Kids & Family

4.9 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 11 May 2026

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

My dear friends, who I've been chatting with for 10 years, are back! David Thomas and Sissy Goff are seeing a growing "crisis of capability" in kids. In this conversation, we talk about their new book Capable and why the goal isn't to raise confident kids. It's to raise resilient ones.

If your child won't try out for a sport, avoids new friendships, or struggles to take initiative, you're not alone. Many kids today are hesitant to step into discomfort, and many parents feel unsure how to help without pushing too hard or stepping in too quickly.

David and Sissy share a powerful reframe: confidence isn't something kids magically gain. It's something they build through repeated, uncomfortable experiences. And instead of chasing success, we should be helping our kids become sturdy, able to handle challenges, setbacks, and real life.

We also talk about why we need to move from reactive skills to proactive strength-building, and how small, everyday opportunities (like ordering food, making appointments, or trying something new) can shape long-term resilience.

This episode is both practical and deeply encouraging, especially if you're navigating anxiety, motivation struggles, or the pressure to "get it right" as a parent.

In This Episode, We Cover:

  • The difference between capability and confidence
  • Why many kids today avoid risk and discomfort
  • 5 key strengths: competence, flexibility, perseverance, humility, and gratitude
  • 100 practical ways to build independence
  • Why habits matter more than quick fixes

  • How to motivate teens who won’t engage

Connect with David and Sissy: 
Links Mentioned: 
Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors: 

  • Branch Basics: And here’s the good news — Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! And for anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code [DMA]. 
  • Hiya Health; We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults.
  • The updated and revised And the Bride Wore White by Dannah Gresh equips you to speak with clarity and confidence about sexual integrity and God’s good design. Rooted in biblical truth and full of grace, this trusted resource helps you start the conversations that matter most— and guide the next generation toward healing, wisdom, and a deeper love for Jesus. For over two decades—and more than 300,000 copies later this message is still changing lives. Get your copy of And the Bride Wore White today 

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Hey, y'all, welcome back to the Don't Mom Alone podcast.

0:10.4

I'm your host, Heather McFaddean, and this is the place where I get to walk alongside you

0:14.2

and connect you with people and resources so you know that you don't mom alone.

0:19.4

In this episode number 572, we're welcoming back to the show, our favorites, David Thomas, and you know that you don't mom alone. In this episode number 572, we're welcoming back to the show,

0:23.1

our favorites, David Thomas and Sissy Gough. We're seeing more parents than ever before

0:29.1

abdicate to experts. And David and I would say really strongly right now that we think

0:37.1

experts are making things worse,

0:38.7

that some of the things a lot of experts are saying to parents are only increasing anxiety,

0:44.3

are only making them doubt themselves.

0:47.2

And so we would love, we are telling parents, we want you to listen to two voices.

0:57.0

Don't mom alone certainly being a place that you go,

1:04.6

but pick two voices that you trust in the parenting space and they need to be voices that help you give yourself more grace and help you trust your intuition because God speaks to you about your child, not to the experts.

1:13.2

And you are the only expert when it comes to your child.

1:17.9

I first had the privilege of chatting with David Thomas over 10 years ago when he came on the show to help guide me with parenting boys.

1:25.8

Oh, what a difference when I had a four, six, eight,

1:29.9

and 10 year old to today. And even before we hit record on this call, he and Sissy were helping

1:34.4

guide me and just sitting with me about some teen boy issues that we're walking through. And I'm just

1:40.2

incredibly grateful for their voices in my life, their kindness, their friendship, and

1:45.1

honored to get to share them with you today. We're going to focus our conversation today on

1:50.1

their newest book called Capable. It is a New York Times bestseller. Congrats, David and Sissy.

1:56.4

The sub title is How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience.

2:04.0

And I want you to know that as a parent, I sometimes don't want to listen to these kinds of episodes

...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 4 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Don't Mom Alone Podcast, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Don't Mom Alone Podcast and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.