Basecamp Live

Good conversations with our children do not just happen. They require intentionality, attention, and the courage to ask questions that may take more than a few seconds to answer. In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens welcomes back Mandi Gerth to explore how the questions we ask shape not only daily conversation, but the long-term relationship we hope to have with our children as adults. Drawing on her experience as a teacher and parent, Mandi explains that a good question opens what she calls an “expectant vacancy.” The challenge is that we must be ready for what fills that space. Together, they unpack three kinds of questions parents can practice: Questions that check for understanding and invite narration, not just yes-or-no answers Follow-up questions that build intellectual habits, encouraging evidence, comparison, and thoughtful reasoning Big-idea questions that help children contemplate virtue, faith, and moral responsibility at every age Mandi also offers a wise reminder for parents of teens.