“You can be anything you want to be!” It’s the mantra of our age—a message pumped into children by movies, books, and even well-meaning parents. But is it true? Is it biblical? Or is there a deeper, more fulfilling truth that Christian parents should pursue with their kids?

In this weighty and relatable episode, Catherine unpacks the ever-present cultural myth that our kids can become whoever—or whatever—they dream, simply with enough hard work and imagination. Drawing from a heartfelt conversation with a devoted fellow parent at the ballfield, Catherine dives into the pressures parents feel to support every whim and wish, regardless of reality, gifting, or God’s design.

What Listeners Will Discover


The distinction between cultural slogans and biblical truth—and why not every dream is planted by God.


How the “follow your heart” advice is more Hallmark than Holy Scripture (04:43), and what happens when Christian parents simply echo the world’s encouragements.


The story of Catherine’s baseball-loving young son, who declared, “God made me to play baseball,” and how it led Catherine to wrestle with what she should tell a child with a passionate, even possibly divinely inspired longing (06:57).


A thoughtful review of the Christian film The Hill, which draws on the motif of David and Goliath but falls into the “prosperity gospel” trap, promising that faith alone guarantees earthly success (14:00). The real-life epilogue is more sobering—and more biblically honest.


What it actually means to “do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (18:48), as Catherine carefully walks parents through the context of Philippians 4 and the secret of contentment, regardless of whether dreams come true.


A practical, grace-filled response any Christian parent can use when their child dreams big—pointing them toward pursuing God’s purpose above personal ambition (22:49).

Notable Moments

“When my fourth child sat on my lap at the ripe age of six and told me he wants to be a Major League baseball player, he actually said, ‘Mom, God made me to play baseball.’ … I do know this: You can be whoever God created you to be, and whoever that is is amazing and awesome and it’s going to fulfill you more than anything else in life.” (23:28)

As a powerful takeaway, Catherine urges parents to help their kids seek to become who God designed them to be—not just anyone or anything the world applauds—reminding listeners that “God’s plan is the best plan,” even when it diverges from childhood dreams or cultural scripts.

Reflect & Respond

How can you encourage your children to dream boldly, while also helping them discover and pursue God’s unique calling for their lives? What steps can you take to align your parenting with God’s larger story, even when it means letting go of your own or your child’s expectations?

Tune in for real-life wisdom, biblical encouragement, and practical steps to parent with hope, faith, and purpose in a world full of crazy (and not always truthful) messages.

Episode Links


The Hill (2023)
Rudy (1993)


The Rookie (2002) 


Philippians 4 – Bible Gateway

&ldquo;You can be anything you want to be!&rdquo; It&rsquo;s the mantra of our age&mdash;a message pumped into children by movies, books, and even well-meaning parents. But is it true? Is it biblical? Or is there a deeper, more fulfilling truth that Christian parents should pursue with their kids?
In this weighty and relatable episode, Catherine unpacks the ever-present cultural myth that our kids can become whoever&mdash;or whatever&mdash;they dream, simply with enough hard work and imagination. Drawing from a heartfelt conversation with a devoted fellow parent at the ballfield, Catherine dives into the pressures parents feel to support every whim and wish, regardless of reality, gifting, or God&rsquo;s design.
<hr>
What Listeners Will Discover
<ul>
<li>
The distinction between cultural slogans and biblical truth&mdash;and why not every dream is planted by God.
</li>
<li>
How the &ldquo;follow your heart&rdquo; advice is more Hallmark than Holy Scripture (04:43), and what happens when Christian parents simply echo the world&rsquo;s encouragements.
</li>
<li>
The story of Catherine&rsquo;s baseball-loving young son, who declared, &ldquo;God made me to play baseball,&rdquo; and how it led Catherine to wrestle with what she should tell a child with a passionate, even possibly divinely inspired longing (06:57).
</li>
<li>
A thoughtful review of the Christian film The Hill, which draws on the motif of David and Goliath but falls into the &ldquo;prosperity gospel&rdquo; trap, promising that faith alone guarantees earthly success (14:00). The real-life epilogue is more sobering&mdash;and more biblically honest.
</li>
<li>
What it actually means to &ldquo;do all things through Christ who gives me strength&rdquo; (18:48), as Catherine carefully walks parents through the context of Philippians 4 and the secret of contentment, regardless of whether dreams come true.
</li>
<li>
A practical, grace-filled response any Christian parent can use when their child dreams big&mdash;pointing them toward pursuing God&rsquo;s purpose above personal ambition (22:49).
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Notable Moments
&ldquo;When my fourth child sat on my lap at the ripe age of six and told me he wants to be a Major League baseball player, he actually said, &lsquo;Mom, God made me to play baseball.&rsquo; &hellip; I do know this: You can be whoever God created you to be, and whoever that is is amazing and awesome and it&rsquo;s going to fulfill you more than anything else in life.&rdquo; (23:28)
As a powerful takeaway, Catherine urges parents to help their kids seek to become who God designed them to be&mdash;not just anyone or anything the world applauds&mdash;reminding listeners that &ldquo;God&rsquo;s plan is the best plan,&rdquo; even when it diverges from childhood dreams or cultural scripts.
<hr>
Reflect &amp; Respond
How can you encourage your children to dream boldly, while also helping them discover and pursue God&rsquo;s unique calling for their lives? What steps can you take to align your parenting with God&rsquo;s larger story, even when it means letting go of your own or your child&rsquo;s expectations?
Tune in for real-life wisdom, biblical encouragement, and practical steps to parent with hope, faith, and purpose in a world full of crazy (and not always truthful) messages.
<hr>
Episode Links
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hill-Dennis-Quaid/dp/B0C6XMHKRL">The Hill (2023)</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B09R4J8P55/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_sr52cdbe_1_1_1?sr=1-1&amp;pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&amp;pageTypeId=B001EJV276&amp;qid=1777178417167">Rudy (1993)</a></li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B00D603MR4/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_sr52cdbe_1_1_1?sr=1-1&amp;pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&amp;pageTypeId=B00HMDD0VO&amp;qid=1777178374151">The Rookie (2002) </a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204&amp;version=NIV">Philippians 4 &ndash; Bible Gateway</a>
</li>
</ul>

The Christian Parent, Crazy World podcast with Catherine Segars equips moms and dads to be godly parents in a world that often opposes their faith. As a passionate apologist and seasoned communicator, Catherine unpacks the tough cultural issues facing families today, offering insightful, biblically grounded guidance. Each episode helps parents understand the challenges of our times and respond with wisdom, confidence, and grace.

Topics covered on this podcast include:
What to Do If Your Child Walks Away from the Faith
Can Our Words Change the Future?
Why Are So Many Kids Falling Away from The Faith?
13 Ways To Be a Better Parent This Year
5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Gen Z
What Critical Foundation Do Many Parents Miss When Discipling Their Kids?
How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview 
Hope and Strategy for Parents of Prodigal Children

Want to read some of Catherine's most popular Christian parenting articles? Check them out here: https://www.crosswalk.com/author/catherine-segars/

The Christian Parent, Crazy World&nbsp;podcast with Catherine Segars equips moms and dads to be godly parents in a world that often opposes their faith. As a passionate apologist and seasoned communicator, Catherine unpacks the tough cultural issues facing families today, offering insightful, biblically grounded guidance. Each episode helps parents understand the challenges of our times and respond with wisdom, confidence, and grace.
Topics covered on this podcast include:
<ul>
<li>What to Do If Your Child Walks Away from the Faith</li>
<li>Can Our Words Change the Future?</li>
<li>Why Are So Many Kids Falling Away from The Faith?</li>
<li>13 Ways To Be a Better Parent This Year</li>
<li>5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Gen Z</li>
<li>What Critical Foundation Do Many Parents Miss When Discipling Their Kids?</li>
<li>How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview&nbsp;</li>
<li>Hope and Strategy for Parents of Prodigal Children</li>
</ul>
Want to read some of Catherine's most popular Christian parenting articles? Check them out here: https://www.crosswalk.com/author/catherine-segars/

Christian Parent, Crazy World is a podcast dedicated to helping you be a godly parent in an ungodly world.

Christian Parent, Crazy World

Christian Parent Crazy World

Can Your Kids Really Be Anything? A Christian Parent’s Answer - "Best Of" Ep. 81

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/cbfefce9-b3e3-4f79-b3a4-b43800482a1c/transcript