I know the struggle. It’s the end of a long day or mid-morning of another long one… and you just need something—anything—that will both capture your kids’ attention and ease your mind. Maybe you need to finish a task, make dinner, or, let’s be honest, reclaim five minutes of peace before the next round of chaos erupts.

For so many of us, it’s tempting to just put on whatever is “safe” for kids.

But is simply avoiding bad content enough? 

Let’s get real: our children are being shaped by what they watch—often in ways we don’t even recognize. While we’re working so hard to teach them biblical truth, godly character, and a love for Jesus, the media they consume can either undermine all that or be a powerful ally in our parenting journey.

So ask yourself this:
 

• What if we’re settling for a low bar with our, and we’re missing a prime opportunity by plopping our child in front of a show that is merely “safe”?
• What if there were high-quality children’s programs that did more than just keep our kids quiet or out of trouble for a while?
• What if those shows could actually nourish them spiritually—reinforcing what we’re teaching at home, cultivating godly character, and pointing them to Christ?

Now we’re talkin’…

That’s exactly what we dive into this week on Christian Parent/Crazy World.

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🎙️ Meet My Guest: Jess Wolstenholm – Champion for Life-Giving Kids’ Media

I sat down with Jess Wolstenholm, Vice President of Education and Publishing at Minno—a streaming platform dedicated to helping kids experience Jesus through excellent programming. Jess brings 25 years of experience in children’s ministry, and her insight on how kids actually learn about God (and how we as parents can leverage media as a tool, not just a distraction!) is next-level wisdom.

More than that, Jess Wolstenholm is a mom, educator, and storyteller deeply committed to helping families experience Christ in their everyday rhythms. If you’re searching for someone who “gets it”—the challenges and joys of raising disciples in a noisy, secular world—Jess is your person.

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🌿 Key Takeaways from the Episode

🧠 Our Kids’ Media Diet Matters

• It’s not enough to avoid “toxic” or inappropriate content—much of what’s out there is just spiritual “empty calories.” We need media that’s nutritious—reinforcing the same truth and character we want to see rooted in our kids .
• Think of your child’s entertainment as a “media diet.” Are they getting fed spiritual junk food, empty calories, or biblically-nourishing content? 

👀 Representation and Worldview

• One of Minno’s strengths lies in putting real faith in front of kids—not cheesy, not watered down, but authentic stories of boys and girls who live for Jesus. As Jess Wolstenholm shared: “There’s not enough representation of faith on screen for kids.” 
• Watching other children and biblical heroes live out their faith helps our own kids see it’s possible—and helps them feel part of something bigger than themselves.

🏆 Excellence and Engagement

• Biblically-sound is non-negotiable, but excellence matters too. Kids deserve engaging, high-quality media that draws them in with the same production values as their favorite secular shows.
• Jess and her team vet every series for theological soundness, for age-appropriateness, and fun factor.

🔑 Media as a Discipleship Tool

• Media isn’t a substitute for parental involvement—but it’s a powerful “entry point.” Use shared viewing and simple follow-up questions to spark meaningful conversations at home .
• Minno’s resources go deeper, offering devotionals, coloring sheets, discussion guides, and even audio-only versions for car listening.

📖 Hope for the Next Generation

• Ultimately, it’s about helping kids and parents abide in Jesus daily—cultivating a faith that’s rich, balanced, and built on God’s love and truth, not legalism or shame .
• “We want them to have a very healthy view of the gospel… to stay true to our need for Jesus, but in a really healthy way.”  ~ Jess Wolstenholm

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🚀 Your Call to Action

• Evaluate your family’s media diet: What are your kids taking in on a daily basis? Is it building them up in truth—or just “filling time”?
• Try co-viewing: Set a goal this week to watch something biblical with your kids—not just for them. 
• Explore Minno’s free trial: Whether you’re a homeschooler or public school parent, discover Christ-centered media that serves as a springboard for faith conversations.
• Start small with discussions: After your child watches a show, ask: “What did you learn? What was most interesting? How did this show God’s character?” It doesn’t have to be complicated .

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🎧 Take Action & Listen Now
Listen to the full episode for practical tips and encouragement on discipling your kids through the media they consume!

🔗 Or find CP/CW on  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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A Quote Worth Reflecting On

“Every moment is an opportunity to turn it back to a discipleship moment. That’s intimidating… but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can all develop that skill. And starting with shows might be the easiest way.”
~ Jess Wolstenholm

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💛 Keep Going: An Encouraging Word for Parents

Parenting in a digital world can feel like drinking from a firehose. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to do it alone—and you don’t have to settle.

The choices you make, the conversations you start, the stories you share—all these little investments have an eternal impact. God gave your kids to you for a reason. He will equip you with wisdom, creativity, and discernment as you seek Him.

So the next time you reach for that remote or hand over the iPad, pause and pray, “Lord, help me fill my child’s mind and heart with the things that last.” You are shaping eternity—one story, one moment, one conversation at a time.

Episode Links & Resources

• Minno Streaming Platform (Try Free!)
• Featured Series: Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith, Young David
• Bonus: Free 7-day trial and downloadable devotionals for families
• Catherine Segars Resources