The Blessing

John Trent, PhD, a noted speaker and author, is president of StrongFamilies.com. He and Gary Smalley have won Gold Medallion writing awards for their books The Blessing and The Two Sides of Love. Dr. Trent has also written several children's books, including I'd Choose You! based on The Blessing, and his Gold Medallion award-winning book on children's personalities, The Treasure Tree. Dr. Trent maintains a private practice, certifies Lifemapping and Strengths coaches through ICCI, and teaches clinical mental health counselors at Phoenix Seminary and DMin students in marriage and family at Dallas Seminary.

Gary Smalley was one of the country’s best-known authors and speakers on family relationships. In addition to writing The Blessing and The Two Sides of Love with John Trent, their book The Language of Love (newly revised and updated) won the Angel Award as the best contribution to family life. His national infomercial, Hidden Keys to Loving Relationships, has been viewed by television audiences all over the world.

Kari Trent Stageberg is the CEO of StrongFamilies, her dream job since her dad, John Trent, started the ministry in 1998. More than twenty years later, after personal faith and relationship struggles, Kari was restored and healed through the power of the Blessing. Today she is a speaker, cohosts the StrongFamilies and Live Blessed, Girl podcasts, helps nonprofits through her partnership with the Nonprofit Consulting Shop, speaks, and pursues writing through her blog, MyBelovedDaughter.com. She lives in Tacoma, Washington with her amazing husband, Joey.