Treehouse Storyteller

Summary:
Dive deep into the significance of building a lasting legacy in this enlightening episode of "The Treehouse Storyteller". Discover the power of forming a firm foundation in faith and learn about the biblical significance of standing stones. Our host shares insightful biblical stories and real-life experiences that revolve around family legacy and faith, providing a unique perspective as a family photographer.
Explore how our daily life can serve as a means to build the kingdom of God, emphasizing the importance of creating standing stones or markers of faith in our lives. Our discussion also sheds light on the concept of a 'redemptive legacy', and the idea of charting our personal course to avoid inherited curses. We stress the need to lay up treasures in heaven—those unaffected by worldly influences and destruction.
For those desiring to build a family legacy deeply rooted in faith, this episode provides a compelling journey. We glean ideas from leadership tying into the biblical story in 2 Chronicles 32-35.
CALL to ACTION:
We pose a challenge to create your own family mission statement, including shared values and purpose, and serving to safeguard the agreed family legacy.
Join OUR family as we endeavor to establish a family legacy—words etched not only on a page but within our hearts, shaping actions that stand firm in the face of life’s storms. This episode of "The Treehouse Storyteller" promises to be a must-listen for those committed to leaving a lasting and unwavering legacy for future generations.
TODAY'S SPONSOR: 
This Episode is brought to you by Brave Books! If you are fed up with the woke agenda coming after your kids, be sure to order your free book HERE when you subscribe and take advantage of the 15% off when you shop my link!
MAKE SURE AND HEAD TO THE TREEHOUSE for the shop, blog, artwork, and more encouragement! www.thetreehousestoryteller.com
 

In this insightful episode of "The Treehouse Storyteller", Hannah sits down with author and speaker, Liz Pitman, for a heart-warming conversation about purpose. Pitman shares her own experiences of seeking identity in God, and how this influenced the creation of her book, 'Where is the Missing Puzzle Piece?'. This episode dives deep into topics of identity, self-discovery, and the power of understanding your unique purpose given by God.
The episode begins with the warm ambience of Nashville, Tennessee, where our host & guest are attending the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) convention. Liz is introduced as a like-minded visionary using her talents to serve God and inspire others. She shares the intriguing story of how a single misplaced puzzle piece led her to conceive the story of Pete, the protagonist in her book who's on a journey to discover his true purpose.
The conversation deepens as they reflect on the importance of knowing our identity in Christ, especially in a culture so focused on external gratification and comparisons. Liz's book aims at instilling a sense of identity, purpose and worth in young minds, but Hannah observes that the message speaks to adults as well, who often struggle to find their place in the world.
Liz leaves listeners with an encouraging message—those who feel lost should remember that they are not lost pieces, but part of God's grand masterpiece. She ends the conversation with a glimpse into her plans for a sequel to her debut book.
Liz’s products, including the heart-touching book, 'Where is the Missing Puzzle Piece?' can be found on the website, www.PetethePuzzlePiece.com. The episode ends by reminding listeners to stay connected via social media and subscribe for further updates. Dive into this beautiful conversation with Liz Pitman, as it journeys through purpose, identity and the wonders of God's creation.
This Episode is brought to you by Brave Books! If you are fed up with the woke agenda coming after your kids, be sure to order your free book HERE when you subscribe and take advantage of the 15% off when you shop my link!

BE KIND, REWIND, & UNPLUG
Parenting in the Moment
 
Today we will talk about some hard things, some BIG problems, but most importantly, some BEAUTIFUL solutions. 
My desire for you as parents is to walk out of this space feeling encouraged and equipped to tackle some of these problems. 
We will focus on problems relating to the technology generation and the way in which we can do our part to steer the direction of our next generation.
We will explore technology as a useful tool, a constant distraction, and also something that can be harmful to our health. 
Computers, Phones, + Tablets can be useful! They can connect & keep us together They can be tools for learning and sharing ideas They can help us explore new information They can save some time and increase productivity when used appropriately. They can give direction when we are lost They can rescue us. They can call for help!
Computers, Phones, + Tablets can be distracting! Distracting in school and at work Notification can overwhelm our thoughts and prevent productivity We can get greatly sidetracked. They can cost us time and decrease productivity when used inappropriately. We can become overly reliant on them. They can pull us away from real life. They can distract us when driving or doing a task that requires our attention.
Computers, Phones, + Tablets can be harmful! The harsh screen light can harm our eyes. Games and social media scrolling can become addictive. We can get stuck sitting indoors and become less active. We can accidentally see harmful or inappropriate images. We can become addicted to the dopamine. We can harm our in person relationships. We can experience cyber bullying or worse.
Then we explore the wonderful solutions and preventatives to the big problems!
Getting outside can: Increase activity levels Expand creative play Help us explore new things and understand the way our world and nature operates. Fresh air and light can reduce cortisol levels. Reduces muscle tensions Reduce stress and anxiety improve our mood give active children time to exert energy
Getting outside first thing in the morning: We are diurnal species We are made to experience activity in the daylight and rest during the night/darkness. Exposing our retinas to early light for even 20 minutes first thing in the morning is super beneficial to our hormone levels. Morning light actually increases the production of cortisol which ignites your energy for the day. Doing so then helps promote the production of melatonin come night time for sleep!
Setting healthy screen time limits: by setting time frames you can go on screens Reduce notifications Create a ‘home station’ for your phone/tablet Offer other activities first Close out tabs and apps when not using Set alarms or time limits on devices Let your device lose battery power Leave phones inside when you go outdoors Activate ‘Do Not Disturb’ during family time No phones at dinner rule!
Parenting in the moment: Have engaging conversations 1 on 1 Set your phone down and look in their eyes! Plan activities with family and stick to them! Show your kids that they are a priority Make the most of your time together Make a jar to remind you of your days left Award with positive reinforcement tasks and accomplishments off screens Visit my blog for more ideas! at thetreehousestoryteller.com
Resources!!!!
FIND THE SCREEN FREE MENU HERE!
https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/  - Until the Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich, M.E.d
https://drdunckley.com - Reset your child’s brain by Victoria L. Dunckley, MD
https://thetreehousestoryteller.com/  - Farm to Film by Hannah Miles Pierrou
 
PROJECTS:
Make a bean jar of each day you have left with your kids.
Create an art space in your home that allows kids to create, build, and make a mess freely to use their creativity off of screens.
Go outside and use ONLY natural materials to create a game or fun space to play. I.e. slay the dragon with sticks and stones, or build a fairy garden!

 
If you are a dance mom, or dance teacher, this one is for you!.
In this episode I have the privilege of sitting down the the founder of DA:NCE (Dance awareness no child exploited). We dive into some deep topics and how to navigate the cultural norms around the dance industry. With so many little girls enrolling into dance every year, this seems like a topic to address. As a dancer, and dance teacher myself, this was a vulnerable interview for me.
This one hits near and dear to my dancer heart. I grew up dancing on a very prestigious dance company, I teach young girls dance classes, and have two daughters very involved in dance both competitively and recreationally. Putting words to some of the dance culture today is hard but Mary Bawden has spent years exposing some of the unfortunate realities of the dance scene we find today. But don't take my word for it, browse her incredible website https://www.danceawareness.com/  or follow them @dance_awareness for amazing FREE resources.
We discuss:
Why Mary started "Da:nce"
Free Resources she has available at https://www.danceawareness.com/ 
Competetive Dance culture
What Parents can do to help 
How to join the coalition
How your healthy dance studio can make a difference
BIO:
Mary Bawden founded Da:nce. Dance awareness no child exploited. This organization provides awareness and protection from abusive dance, meaning advocacy against the hyper-sexualization of girls in dance. 

This episode we talk all about rest and why it is so necessary to find time to rest. The creator of the universe found time to rest, Jesus rested, so while in the world do we think we are so incapable of slowing down for a minute. We are merely humans and as busy and tired parents, this episode will encourage you to prioritize time each day or week to be one on one with the Lord and allow Him to give us rest! 
The Lord gives us so many scriptures relating to this very topic! The Bible mentions the word ‘rest’ 257 times! God clearly knows the weariness of this earthly life. He knows our burdens become heavy.
Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’
God is a god of rest and not of striving and works.
He would so much rather we rest in His presence than work on our own.
We are called to communion with Him! 
At the end of the episode, I encourage you to sit and rest with the Lord and listen to music with Him. 
Current favorite playlists!
FREE SPIRIT - APPLE PLAYLIST
CHRISTIAN FOLK - APPLE PLAYLIST
 

In this 2-part high speed episode, the three of us mama's walk through so many crucial topics of parenting and motherhood!
Guests Shannon Popkin, and Lee Nienhuis give insight into the problems of comparison.
We dig into topics such as anxiety, depression, and what we can do about it!
We talk about perfectionism and what their book Comparison Girl for Teens has to say about it!
This episode lays the truth filled foundation for God's definition of gender and we explore has His boundaries are actually larger than the world's definition.
We explore the pop culture obsession with people like Taylor Swift and how to best navigate this with your kids. 
We close by discussing parenting rolls of who we are called to be and who we are not from a Biblical perspective.
BIO:
From the platform, page, and podcast mic, Shannon Popkin invites you to drink deeply of God’s story, and live like it’s true. Shannon’s books include Control Girl, Comparison Girl, Comparison Girl for Teens (2024), and Shaped by God’s Promises (2024). Shannon also hosts the Live Like It’s True Bible podcast and has been featured on Revive Our Hearts, FamilyLife Today, The Gospel Coalition, and Proverbs 31. She’s happy to be sharing life with Ken, who makes her laugh every day. Together, they have the joy of watching their three young-adult kids become the amazing people God created them to be. You can connect with Shannon at shannonpopkin.com, or on Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube. 
Lee Nienhuis is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She cohosts the Martha & Mary Show and the You Can Tell the Children podcast with Bible2School. Lee’s books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting are a clarion call for parents looking to raise wholehearted Christ followers. Lee and her husband, Mike, have four kids and live in West Michigan. Find her at leenienhuis.com.
 
ABOUT COMPARISON GIRL FOR TEENS:
 
Teen girls discover purpose in a world that says they aren't enoughMost teen girls struggle with comparison. The pressure to measure up to peers and social media influencers is relentless. Everyone seems to have their own standard for what a teen girl should be, and those expectations feel impossible to meet. Comparison Girl for Teens is the teen girl guide to navigating these tricky waters. Best-selling authors Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis have teamed up to show teens how to break free from the comparison trap and embrace the incredible life that Jesus has in store for them.A journey of self-discovery with forty readings, Comparison Girl for Teens includes quizzes, evaluations (don't worry-- they’re fun), discussion questions, and plenty of heartwarming stories to keep teen girls company along the way. Whether the reader is a seasoned believer or just exploring her faith, she is invited to new freedom, confidence, and influence as she adopts Jesus's "me-free" mindset in this toxic, measure-up world.
 

In this 2 part - high speed episode, the three of us mama's walk through so many crucial topics of parenting and motherhood!
Guests Shannon Popkin, and Lee Nienhuis give insight into the problems of comparison.
We dig into topics such as anxiety, depression, and what we can do about it!
We talk about perfectionism and what their book Comparison Girl for Teens has to say about it!
This episode lays the truth filled foundation for God's definition of gender and we explore has His boundaries are actually larger than the world's definition.
We explore the pop culture obsession with people like Taylor Swift and how to best navigate this with your kids. 
We close by discussing parenting rolls of who we are called to be and who we are not from a Biblical perspective.
BIO:
From the platform, page, and podcast mic, Shannon Popkin invites you to drink deeply of God’s story, and live like it’s true. Shannon’s books include Control Girl, Comparison Girl, Comparison Girl for Teens (2024), and Shaped by God’s Promises (2024). Shannon also hosts the Live Like It’s True Bible podcast and has been featured on Revive Our Hearts, FamilyLife Today, The Gospel Coalition, and Proverbs 31. She’s happy to be sharing life with Ken, who makes her laugh every day. Together, they have the joy of watching their three young-adult kids become the amazing people God created them to be. You can connect with Shannon at shannonpopkin.com, or on Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube. 
Lee Nienhuis is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She cohosts the Martha & Mary Show and the You Can Tell the Children podcast with Bible2School. Lee’s books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting are a clarion call for parents looking to raise wholehearted Christ followers. Lee and her husband, Mike, have four kids and live in West Michigan. Find her at leenienhuis.com.
 
ABOUT COMPARISON GIRL FOR TEENS:
 
Teen girls discover purpose in a world that says they aren't enoughMost teen girls struggle with comparison. The pressure to measure up to peers and social media influencers is relentless. Everyone seems to have their own standard for what a teen girl should be, and those expectations feel impossible to meet. Comparison Girl for Teens is the teen girl guide to navigating these tricky waters. Best-selling authors Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis have teamed up to show teens how to break free from the comparison trap and embrace the incredible life that Jesus has in store for them.A journey of self-discovery with forty readings, Comparison Girl for Teens includes quizzes, evaluations (don't worry-- they’re fun), discussion questions, and plenty of heartwarming stories to keep teen girls company along the way. Whether the reader is a seasoned believer or just exploring her faith, she is invited to new freedom, confidence, and influence as she adopts Jesus's "me-free" mindset in this toxic, measure-up world.
 

It is NORMAL to have doubts. The disciples were literally walking, eating, and traveling with Jesus, and they all went through seasons of doubts! It’s our response to these thoughts and feelings that matter the most!
MARK 11:20-26 20Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”22So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.  23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Forgiveness & Prayers 25“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  26But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Why the Sunday school answer is THE ANSWER!
The Sunday school answer is: READ YOUR BIBLE, GO TO CHURCH, AND PRAY. OR THE LITTLEST KID JUST YELLS OUT JESUS! 
The single reason that the Sunday school answer remains the Sunday school answer is because it is TRUTH. We have let it feel watered down and too simple to actually have meaning, but the reality is that reading your Bible spells out the truth, and if we know the truth, then we will be more likely to rebuke the lies.
What does the Bible say about PRAYER?
Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Matthew 26:41 - Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Colossians 4:2 - Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Matthew 6:6 - But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
James 5:16 - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Resources Mentioned:  Andrew Wommack's book Spirit Soul and Body https://www.awmi.net/reading/teaching-articles/spirit-soul-and-body/ 

This was a very special episode for me personally. I have been a huge fan of Heidi St. John and thankful to sit down with her this year at National Religious Broadcasters in Nashville, TN. I was privileged enough to have the space in the Nfluence booth to record this on video as well as podcast audio. Make sure to check out the YouTube video option as well!
In this episode, we discuss education, the history of our current public school system, homeschool, and family balance. We explore some of Heidi's new endeavors including her homeschool resource center and her recent Brave Book: 'The mouse and the Sea'. We also discuss busy motherhood and how we can't do it all! 
Favorite Quote from Heidi during our interview, 'I  used  to,  to  sort  of  soft -step  this  issue  and  tell  parents,  oh,  hey,  you  do  you.  And  now  I'm  like,  the  Titanic  is  sinking,  the  barn  is  on  fire.  At  what  point  do  we  get  the  horses  out?'
Reference verses:
Luke 6:40
BIO:
Heidi St. John is the author of nine books, including Becoming MomStrong: How to Fight with All That's in You for Your Family and Your Faith and its corresponding Becoming MomStrong Bible Study, as well her latest, MomStrong 365: A One Year Devotional to Encourage and Empower Everyday Moms and her first children’s book The Mouse and the Sea with Brave Books.  Her podcast, “Off the Bench with Heidi St. John” has been downloaded over 24 million times, and you can join her community of women studying the Word in monthly Bible studies at FaiththatSpeaks.com (https://www.faiththatspeaks.com/).
Heidi has been married to Jay, her college sweetheart, since 1989. The St. Johns reside just outside beautiful Vancouver, Washington, where their non-profit organization, Firmly Planted Family (https://firmlyplantedfamily.com/), and the Homeschool Resource Center are based. The St. Johns have seven children, all of whom have been homeschooled, and four grandchildren.
 

PREORDER HERE!
Miss Understood is a compelling story of the rainbow, personified as a feminine character. It is a refreshing retell of the true history of the rainbow and how its colors came to be.
Miss Understood is a reclaiming of God’s promise to all creation and his children, reflecting back to Genesis and the flood. In this beautifully painted poetic book, young children, and adults alike will shift their modern society thinking to a timeless meaning of God’s bow across the sky.
 
We would love to have you join our Spring 2024 launch team! Influencer packages available!
Contact us at thetreehousestoryteller.com or info@thetreehousestoryteller.com