Reclaiming Sex Education: Equipping Parents for Honest, Faithful Conversations
Jun 10, 2025
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Reclaiming Sex Education: Equipping Parents for Honest, Faithful Conversations
As parents, we prepare our children for life in countless ways: teaching them to read, helping them with math, and instilling values like kindness and respect. But one area many parents struggle to address is sex education. How do we have these crucial conversations without shame, fear, or awkwardness? And how do we present it as the beautiful, God-given gift it is?
In Episode 80 of The Feast Life podcast, Julie Ross interviews Kristen Miele, founder of SexEd Reclaimed, to tackle these questions head-on. Kristen shares her powerful journey of turning fear into faith and shame into confidence, offering practical tools and biblical wisdom to help parents equip their children for a world filled with challenges.
Why Reclaim Sex Education?
Kristen’s mission is simple yet transformative: to reclaim sex education as a God-given gift and teach it in a way that’s both biblically sound and practical. She explains how silence or legalism around this topic can leave children unprepared for life’s realities, leading to confusion and shame.
“If we don’t talk to our kids, we teach them—through our silence—that sex is bad or shameful,” Kristen says. “But God created sex as a beautiful part of life, and it’s our role to teach that with love and truth.”
Breaking the Cycle of Silence
Many parents grew up in homes where sex was never discussed or was approached with shame. Kristen acknowledges the emotional baggage this can create and encourages parents to start small.
Her advice: Begin with simple, age-appropriate conversations and build trust over time. Whether it’s explaining puberty or discussing healthy relationships, the goal is to create an ongoing dialogue rather than relying on a single, awkward “talk.”
Talking About Pornography
One startling statistic Kristen shares is that 95% of kids will encounter pornography by age 14. Instead of waiting for it to happen, she recommends preparing children early with age-appropriate discussions.
For young kids, use terms like “bad pictures” and emphasize the importance of respect and safety. As children grow, introduce more detailed conversations about the dangers of pornography and its impact on the brain, relationships, and worldview.
“Pornography isn’t just out there; it’s the biggest sex educator,” Kristen warns. “Our role as parents is to equip our kids with tools to respond when they inevitably encounter it.”
Healthy Relationships and Consent
Another critical area SexEd Reclaimed addresses is teaching kids about boundaries, healthy relationships, and consent. Kristen’s curriculum is designed to help teens navigate these topics with confidence and integrity, giving them a framework for making wise choices that honor God and others.
Turning Shame Into Joyful Conversations
One of Kristen’s key messages is that sex education doesn’t have to be daunting. By reframing these conversations as opportunities to discipline our children, we can approach them with joy instead of fear.
“This isn’t just about avoiding problems,” Kristen explains. “It’s about helping our kids see sex as a beautiful, life-giving part of God’s creation. When we do that, we not only prepare them for the challenges they’ll face, but we also deepen our relationship with them.”
Practical Tips for Parents
If the idea of talking about sex with your kids feels overwhelming, Kristen offers these simple steps to get started:
- Pray First: Ask God for wisdom, healing, and guidance as you navigate these conversations.
- Start Small: Begin with age-appropriate topics like body safety or puberty, and build from there.
- Be Honest: Share your own experiences (appropriately) to show your kids you’re human and approachable.
- Create a Safe Space: Use car rides or casual moments to open up dialogue without pressure.
- Use Resources: Kristen’s SexEd Reclaimed curriculum offers tools for kids aged 3–18, helping parents navigate conversations at every stage of development.
Reclaiming the Conversation for the Next Generation
In a world where cultural messages about sex are often distorted, Kristen’s work serves as a beacon of hope. By reclaiming this conversation, parents can equip their children with the tools they need to navigate life with confidence, integrity, and faith.
As Julie Ross points out, “You wouldn’t send your kids into battle without armor or a sword. Equipping them with a biblical view of sex is the same—it’s essential preparation for the challenges they’ll face.”
About Our Guest:
Kristen Miele has educated youth on the topic of sex for the last 15 years. She’s taught in hundreds of diverse settings including 2 different countries with experience teaching ages 3 and up on content related to sex and sexuality. Kristen has a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Community Health from the University of Illinois. She has also been a Certified Health Education Specialist (NCHEC) since 2016. The vision for Sex Ed Reclaimed came to her in November 2021 through prayer and it became an LLC in 2022. Currently the curriculum of Sex Ed Reclaimed is selling in all 50 states and 13 countries. She’s been married since 2012 to her husband Anthony. They live in Columbus Ohio with two daughters and their cats. They previously lived overseas teaching and providing medical care to an underserved population in Central America. She’s been featured on several podcasts and various media.
Connect with Kristen:
Ready to Get Started?
Kristen’s SexEd Reclaimed curriculum offers a comprehensive, faith-based approach to sex education for kids of all ages. To learn more, visit her website at SexEd Reclaimed and use the exclusive coupon code from the podcast to get started. You can also follow Kristen on Instagram for free tips and resources to begin these life-changing conversations today.
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