By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of The Orange Report.

What if the only thing standing between a child and a healthier future is the everyday behavior they observe?

In a recent installment of The Orange Report, host Kira Davis sits down with Katie Faust, founder and president of Them Before Us, to examine how parental and community modeling influences children’s trajectories. Their conversation moves from a viral X video that illustrates a father’s silent generosity to personal anecdotes about broken homes, faith‑based transformation, and the power of mentors.

Modeling as the Primary Teacher

Faust argues that children become “what they behold” – the behaviors and values they see daily. She cites a viral video showing a black father whose children step forward for each act of love, only to realize their dad has given them what he never received. “The most likely option is for them to repeat the cycle,” she says, emphasizing that without a contrasting model, children default to the patterns of their upbringing.

The discussion underscores the necessity of “embodiment” – having a living example to imitate. Faust explains, “We are mimetic creatures; we imitate what we see. You can’t just out of whole cloth become somebody else. You have to see somebody do what you want to do and pattern yourself.”

Faith, Loss, and the Search for New Patterns

Kira Davis shares how the recent loss of her mother‑in‑law, a teacher who devoted her life to children, reinforced the importance of visible role models. She reflects, “She taught me the value of being a mother and the worth of children. That’s why I love your work.” The conversation moves to faith as a catalyst for breaking cycles. Both guests note that spiritual transformation alone is insufficient without practical, relational examples.

Faust adds, “There’s something radical, something drastic to break the cycle. Sometimes you have to break those chains because the default is to slide into the pattern that was modeled for you.” This sentiment resonates with Davis, who cites her own experience of navigating divorced parents and later finding guidance through church families who demonstrated healthy relationships.

Community Implications and Policy Considerations

The dialogue raises broader questions about how societies support children beyond the family unit. Faust’s organization, Them Before Us, advocates for child‑centered policy that recognizes the long‑term costs of neglecting parental modeling. She points out that “people who have single mothers are more likely to become single mothers” and that “children created through sperm and egg donation are more likely to sell their sperm and egg,” illustrating how early environments shape adult choices.

Both guests agree that community institutions—schools, churches, local charities—must intentionally provide positive role models. As Davis notes, “We need these things modeled. It’s one of the things that she felt was very important in her life. They modeled it for the community, for the church, for their school, all the charity projects that she did.”

Breaking the Cycle: A Call to Action

The conversation concludes with a shared belief that breaking generational patterns requires collective effort. Faust urges listeners to seek out and become the mentors their children need, while Davis emphasizes the personal responsibility of each adult to embody the values they wish to pass on.

In a culture often divided over policy and ideology, the simple act of living out love, responsibility, and consistency may be the most powerful tool for safeguarding the next generation.

The full episode of The Orange Report is available on OBBM Network TV.