The Raising Capable Kids Conference
We’re SO EXCITED you’ll be in Franklin, Tennessee, for the Raising Capable Kids Conference with David Thomas and Sissy Goff.
Location:
Rolling Hills Community Church - Franklin Campus
1810 Columbia Ave Ste. 100
Franklin, TN 37064
Conference Schedule
The following is a sample schedule for the day. The final schedule will be available a week before the conference.
8:30 AM | Doors Open
9:00 AM | Devotional with Melissa Trevathan
9:15 AM | Opening Sessions with David and Sissy
10:00 AM | Panel with Justin Whitmel Earley, Niro Feliciano, Megan Michelson, & Dr. Chinwé Williams
11:15 AM | Break
11:30 AM | Breakout 1
12:15 PM | Lunch
1:30 PM | Breakout 2
2:15 PM | Break
2:30 PM | Tech Talk with David, Sissy, & Joey Odom
3:00 PM | Closing Session with David and Sissy
4:00 PM | VIP (must purchase VIP ticket)
FOOD OPTIONS
We will have food trucks available on site from Mojos Tacos and Honest Coffee.
There are also nearby places to eat such as:
Chick-Fil-A
Taco Bell
Wendy’s
The Fainting Goat Cafe
M.L. Rose
Corner Pub
Penn Station East Coast Subs
PArking on site
Rolling Hills Community Church is located on Columbia Ave, however the parking lot available is on the north side of campus. Please enter at Werthan Circle (you’ll see a Taco Bell) and follow the signs back to the North Lot. There is ample parking and ADA entrance and our team will be there to greet you and check you in.
Please do not use the South Entrance. Thank you!
Helpful info for the weekend
Other Things Happening In Nashville This Weekend:
Friday September 12
James Taylor at FirstBank Amphitheater, Franklin, TN - Buy tickets here
Phil Wickham at the K-LOVE Center - Buy tickets here
Nashville Sounds Baseball Game - Buy tickets here
Women of Country at the Grand Ole Opry House - Buy tickets here
Saturday, September 13
Opry 100 Birthday - Buy tickets here
Sunday, September 14
Tennessee Titans take on the LA Rams - Buy tickets here
Billy Strings at the Ryman - Buy tickets here
Here are a few of our Favorite Nashville Things!
SHOP
K. McCarthy - Stop by the shop between 9/12 and 9/14 and say 'Raising Capable Kids' for 20% off your order!
FOOD
THINGS TO DO
Hike Radnor Lake or Warner Parks
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame
Tour the Ryman or Grand Ole Opry
A Few Things to Note:
We will have free drip coffee and water onsite until lunch time, as well as Honest Coffee for purchasing espresso orders!
Make sure to bring a pen and paper to take notes.
FAQ’s:
Can I bring my newborn to the Raising Capable Kids Conference? Yes you can bring your newborn!
What are my options for lunch? Taco trucks will be onsite or you can go offsite for lunch.
Are you going to live stream the event or make a live recording available? Because of the intimate nature of the event and many break out sessions available, we will not be live streaming to provide the best possible experience for those in person!
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Session Descriptions
David Thomas and Sissy Goff (Mainstage)
Session #1: Capable & Connected: How Moms and Dads Shape Confidence Differently
Description: You are your child’s greatest agent of change. But how you connect—and how you call out the capable—looks different depending on who you are and who your child is.
In this brand new talk, Sissy Goff and David Thomas explore the distinct and powerful dynamics between moms and daughters, moms and sons, dads and daughters, and dads and sons. Each relationship brings its own unique set of callings and challenges. And when we lean into those differences with intention, compassion, and courage, we not only build stronger connections—we help our kids grow into the confident, resilient people they were made to be.
This session is full of laughter, practical tools, and honest encouragement for every parent who wants to raise kids who know they’re capable—because they’ve heard it from the ones who matter most.
Chinwe Williams
Session #1: Raising Calm (ish) and Confident Kids and Teens in a Complicated World 🌎
Description: Do you have a child who seems anxious, angry…or both? You're not alone. One of the most challenging—and often isolating—parts of parenting is managing emotional storms: the big behaviors, the shutdowns, the meltdowns that leave everyone drained. Every parent hopes to raise a courageous, calm(ish) child who can face life’s ups and downs with confidence. But with emotional dysregulation and anxiety on the rise, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming.
This workshop may offer a lifeline. Whether you're parenting a preschooler or a preteen, Dr. Chinwe’ brings empathy, clarity, and cutting-edge insights from child development and neuroscience to help you decode your child’s behavior and respond with confidence.
You’ll walk away with:
A clear understanding of what’s developmentally typical—and when behaviors signal deeper challenges
Practical, hands-on techniques to help your child regulate intense emotions and build resilience, self-confidence, and emotional strength
Strategies for staying calm, grounded, and connected during emotionally charged moments
Parents and caregivers, come as you are, and leave with renewed clarity, confidence, and connection!
Session #2: Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child: Raising Complex Kids in a Complex World
Description: Parenting a neurodivergent child—whether they’re navigating ADHD, autism, sensory processing differences, or other unique wiring—can be both deeply rewarding and incredibly challenging. In today’s high-pressure world, raising a complex kid requires more than love and good intentions; it requires understanding, flexibility, and a whole new set of tools.
This workshop is designed to empower parents with the knowledge and strategies needed to support their child’s executive functioning skills and overall development—while preserving their own well-being. Led by mental health therapist, Dr. Chinwe, we’ll explore:
What it means to be neurodivergent—and why reframing the narrative matters
Practical tools for managing emotional regulation, executive functioning, and sensory needs
Communication strategies that foster connection, not conflict
How to advocate for your child in schools, healthcare settings, and beyond
Whether you're just beginning your journey or have been walking this path for years, this workshop offers a safe space to learn, reflect, and connect with others who truly understand. You’ll leave with renewed confidence, actionable insights, and a deeper sense of hope.
Megan Michelson
Session #1: Birds & Bees: giving parents the tools and confidence to talk to their kids about sex
Description: Where do babies come from? How is that baby going to get out of there? Birds & Bees wants parents to answer these questions when their kids are asking them in order to create a foundation for future conversations. Megan Michelson with Birds & Bees will lead a breakout that encourages and equips parents to have age-appropriate conversations with their young children about sex. In today’s sex-saturated culture, the idea of “the talk” at age 13 is too late. Birds & Bees’ goal is to replace that one talk with several smaller talks so that your kids can hear your voice and values. They want parents to be prepared for when these questions start, because it will be sooner than you think! The live program walks you through the strategy that takes you from early pre-school years to pre-adolesence. Many parents come to this program nervous and intimidated about the topic and leave feeling encouraged and powerful!
Session #2: *Same as above
Justin Whitmel Earley
Session #1: Habits of the Household
Description: We become our habits, and our children become us. Which means that the habits of the household are probably the most important parts of our children’s spiritual formation. This session will break down the neurology and the theology of why habits matter so much to our discipleship to Jesus, and how we can practically think about rhythms in the home. We’ll see that while all of us feel overwhelmed, the good news of the gospel is that Jesus’ yoke is easy, and his burden is light. So moving towards spiritual rhythms is one of the most freeing things we can do. After all, habits don’t change God’s love for us, but God’s love for us should change our habits.
Session #2: *Same as above
Niro Feliciano
Session #1: Parent Self-care 101: Why Your Wellbeing is Their Superpower
Description: When parents are healthy—emotionally, mentally, and physically—kids benefit in powerful ways. But how do we do it when we’re stressed, exhausted, and there never seems to be enough time?
In this breakout, Niro Feliciano will share why caring for yourself isn’t indulgent, it’s essential, and how your joy, rest, and resilience directly shape your child’s growth. You’ll leave with practical, doable strategies to protect your well-being, and, in turn, give your kids one of the greatest advantages they can have: a parent who’s thriving.
Session #2: *Same as above