The Power of the Family Board Meeting

What if the secret to raising a thriving Catholic family looked a lot like running a well-led company? Jim and Meghan sit down with Mike and Alicia Hernon, co-founders of The Messy Family Project, to unpack the Family Board Meeting, a structured practice of stepping back from the daily grind of parenting to intentionally lead as a couple. Drawing on business principles like EOS and Traction, along with decades of raising ten children, Mike and Alicia share how this yearly practice built unity in their marriage and helped form seven adult children who are now faithful, practicing Catholics. With candor and humor, they invite Catholic families to see their homes as the most important work happening in the Church today.

What’s in this episode:

• The origin and purpose behind the Family Board Meeting concept
• Why the meeting belongs to spouses only, not the whole family
• The five steps: assess, envision, define goals, discern, and act
• Lessons borrowed from EOS and the book Traction by Gino Wickman
• The greatest fruit: raising evangelizing disciples of Christ
• Preparing teenagers for the freedom of college and adulthood
• Why unity between spouses matters more than checking off goals
• A look inside The Messy Family Project's course and community
• One resource every Catholic family should know: Mike: The Family Board Meeting course and podcast. Alicia: Father John Riccardo's The Rescue Project videos with Acts XXIX.
• Book they are currently reading: Mike: A collection of fantasy novels by Stephen Lawhead, including one on Byzantium. Alicia: Christy, read with her well read moms group.
• Advice to their younger selves: Mike: Don't get so stressed trying to get everything right, focus on what matters most. Alicia: Enjoy your children more and don't worry about things that aren't important.
• Final wisdom for listeners: Mike: Build a rule of life around your identity as a child of God, spouse, and parent. Alicia: Real change starts within you, you are a beloved son or daughter of God.

Resources Mentioned:

Messy Family Project – Home of the Family Board Meeting course, podcast, and free downloads

Father John Riccardo's The Rescue Project – Evangelization videos through Acts XXIX

The Chosen by Chaim Potok – A novel on fatherhood and different parenting paths that moved Alicia to tears

Ways of Imperfection – A book Alicia calls life changing on being loved by God in imperfection

Byzantium by Stephen Lawhead – A novel Mike recently finished, part of his ongoing collection by the author

Buy Back Your Time – A business book Mike often returns to

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.