What if your child’s screen time could help them meet Jesus, shape their character, and spark conversations that last a lifetime?
In a culture overflowing with children’s entertainment, how can Christian parents find programming that does more than distract or “babysit”? In this compelling episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine sits down with Jess Wolstenholm, Vice President of Education & Publishing at Minno and editor of the award-winning Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids. With over 25 years of children’s ministry leadership and deep roots in curriculum development, Jess Wolstenholm brings powerful insights into how media can nourish—not just occupy—our children’s souls.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
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A Better Media Diet for Kids
Why “just clean” isn’t enough. Catherine and Jess break down the difference between spiritually “nutritious” content and empty-calorie screen time. They challenge parents to curate what their children watch, seeking stories that reinforce godly character and biblical truth rather than just avoid harm.
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Faith Formation through Storytelling
Discover how a child’s earliest glimpses of God shape their faith journey, and why representing God’s character—holy, loving, nurturing, and present—is essential from the very start. Jess Wolstenholm shares how programming choices directly impact a child’s understanding of God, values, and themselves.
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Representation Matters—Even for Young Faith
“There’s not enough representation of faith on screen for kids.” Hear how Minno creates and curates media—like the innovative Young David shorts—that let children see relatable, not cheesy, portrayals of Christian life. Find out why seeing faith lived out on screen can be just as important as hearing Bible stories.
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Old Treasures, New Purpose
Relive childhood favorites like VeggieTales and discover impactful series like Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith and Liberty’s Kids—all available on Minno. Whether it's vintage animation or state-of-the-art storytelling, these programs offer rich entry points for conversations about faith, history, and courage.
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Tools for Intentional Parenting
Learn how to turn media moments into meaningful faith conversations. From five-minute family devotionals to printable discussion guides and screen-free audio options, Jess Wolstenholm shares practical ways for parents to build on what their children watch—even when life gets busy.
“We want kids to get to know the character of God—not just as a rule-keeper, but as a creator who delights in them.” – Jess Wolstenholm
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What Sets Minno Apart
Find out how Minno’s holistic, on-screen/off-screen approach (think: devotionals, conversation guides, coloring pages, and audio stories) is designed to support busy Christian parents and equip the next generation for a resilient, relational faith.
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A Hopeful Vision for Gen Alpha
Jess Wolstenholm shares her dream for the next generation: that children would “know Jesus and understand His word,” not through shame or rule-keeping, but with a healthy, balanced grasp of gospel truth and the goodness of God.
Notable Moments:
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The surprising connection between the word “Minno” and abiding in Christ.
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How “vintage” content like Torchlighters and Liberty’s Kids help children step outside the “first world bubble” and see global faith and history.
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Simple questions parents can ask after screen time to spark deep, everyday discipleship.
Why This Matters:
Your child’s view of God, their character, and their choices are being shaped by what fills their hearts and minds each day. What if the shows they watch could help you disciple them, not just distract them?
Modern Application:
Let’s intentionally leverage media as a springboard for spiritual formation. Whether you find a new family devotional routine or simply ask one more question at the dinner table, these conversations could echo for years.
About the Guest:
Jess Wolstenholm is Vice President of Education & Publishing at Minno, editor and executive producer of the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, and a seasoned leader in children’s ministry and publishing. She is passionate about equipping Christian families to nurture healthy, lifelong faith.
Ready to turn your child’s screen time into soul time? What steps can you take this week to make sure the shows your kids watch are helping them experience Jesus—every single day? Dive into this episode and discover resources that could transform your family’s faith journey.
Episode Links & Resources
Listen, reflect, and join the conversation—because Christian parenting may be crazy, but you don’t have to do it alone.
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