Mornings with Carmen

Bill English of Bible and Business and On Path Coaching responds to an article talking of retiring business leader Warren Buffett, calling him a "Zen master."  Is this largely secular person really a religious leader?  Why the use of this language?   He also talks about ethical decision-making.  American Bible Society's John Plake helps us dig more into the State of the Bible Report 2025, looking at the issue of trust in the Bible and in people and institutions.  He also addresses how Bible engagement impacts generosity.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Pastor Daryl Crouch, executive director of Everyone's Wilson, joins Carmen in looking at the Christmas story.  What in it do we often miss?  What did Mary really know? And as we wind down 2025, Mission Network News' Ruth Kramer helps us see what fellow Jesus-followers in places like China, India, and Sudan are enduring and doing for the sake of Jesus.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

With Illinois becoming the 12th state to legalize medically assisted suicide, Christian Medical and Dental Association's Dr. Bret Nick addresses the growing movement, how it consistently degenerates to who is allowed to seek such suicide, and it's effect on the rest of culture.  He also addresses the recently started and problematic Pathways study in the UK testing the effects of puberty blockers on kids who are gender dysphoric.  Vibrant Faith's Rick Lawrence, author of "Editing Jesus" and "The Jesus-Centered Daily" devotional, talks about the ways we often "edit" the Christmas story, obscuring the really hope of Jesus coming. The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Nick Pitts of The Briefing newsletter offer analysis around the Brown University shooting and the hunt for the shooter and the push by the President to cut restrictions on marijuana.  Nick also looked at the the top 10 life decisions that stress us.  Luke Moon of Generation Zion and The Philos Project addresses the global rise of antisemitic attacks and threats, and the need to stand with our Jewish friends.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Dr. Linda Mintle, host of the Dr. Linda Mintle Show, offers some ideas for managing stress and relational issues better as we head into the Christmas hurry.  Simple boundaries can bring a lot of relief!  Susie Larson, host of Susie Larson Live on Faith Radio, talks about the power of thinking God's thoughts, how it can affect your brain and your life.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

What does it mean to #PrayTheNews?  Carmen LaBerge opens the Monday mailbag to answer that question and how it applies to what's in the news today.  Then, she addresses a question from a listener how to maintain a relationship with someone they disagree with deeply.  Carmen offers some helpful principles and guardrails.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Plugged In's Adam Holz responds to a recent NYT article where a writer is struck by the amount of Bible "inspired" and other spiritual content being put out.  Does that mean Hollywood is getting more Christian??   Robert Dayton, author of "100XLife: A Daily Practice," shares his story of brokeness and addiction. But when he focused on the words of Jesus and God's Word, he talked about how it helped him changed the way think, aka "repentance," and how he lived.  He invites you into this journey.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here    

Thann Bennett of The Equipped Newsletter and radio show on Faith Radio talks about the "reticular activating system" in our brains, how God put in our brains to put things into certain categories.  We can train it to see God and His goodness and truth.  Social media expert Chris Martin, author of "The Wolf in our Pockets," helps us look back at what's been happening in 2025 in social media and it's impact on our lives.  He also looks at what might be on the horizon in 2026.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Bible teacher Carol McLeod helps us reflect on the promise in the name Emmanuel, God come in the flesh and with us!  Jesus was with us physically.  Now He is with us continually!  Tim Wildsmith, author of "The Daily Scripture Guidebook," offers practical help you and others get into God's Word consistently and more directly.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Political scientist Mark Caleb Smith from Cedarville University talks about how the perks of being in a position of power can corrupt so that people give up their commitments, including to truth.  Dawn Cadesessus, author of "Trailer Park CEO," shares about growing up impoverished in a trailer park.  Even how she left the trailer park, it took a long time for the trailer park mentality to get out of her.  She shares how she developed leadership principles that led her to be a CEO of a large real estate company.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek, president of the University of Northwestern - St Paul and Northwestern Media, responds to the findings in Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation" and his recent post where he ask ChatGPT how if it were the Devil, how it would destroy the next generation.  As a leader at a Christian university, he sees both signs of what Haidt is talking about and hope for the next generation going against the tide.   Psychologist Debra Fileta talks about God's empowering by Holy Spirit of YOU to encourage and be a part of others healing.  She also seeks to empower you to put your cellphone in the proper place in your life through the 21-Day Technoference Challenge.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Carmen LaBerge contrasts two new items.  The first is an AARP report on the rising problem of loneliness.  The second story is about a trio of young adults in the small village of Sackets Harbor, NY who are key volunteer members of the communities EMS, often helping the elderly.  How can you meet the needs of those around you?  Pastor Sam Jones, a member of Equipping the Persecuted and Truth Nigeria, talks about the massive underreporting of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and how we can help pray and raise awarness of the carnage.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Counselor Gale Kragt, author of "God Moments II," shares about people who experienced encounters with God in various ways.  Are you keeping a look out for those moments in your life? Pastor Nate Pickowicz, author of "Overcoming the Darkness," talks about many faithful people in the Bible and in history who dealt with depression.  He also talks about how God helped them overcome.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Political scientist Adam Carrington addresses the issue of religiously-based charter schools, a split Supreme Court decision around them, and how states are responding.  He also looks at the recent SCOTUS case Trump v. Slaughter, where a fired agent of an independent board was fired.  Does the President have that right?  CBN Faithwire's Billy Hallowell talks about the lack of coverage of the violence against Christians in Nigeria, as well as the view of many college students view words as violence, especially after the Charlie Kirk assasination.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Lionshare's Dave Buehring talks about how we can help introduce, even re-introduce, people to Jesus during the Christmas season.  Then, Carmen LaBerge opens the Monday Mailbag to address the headlines around the social service scandal in Minnesota and the case before the US Supreme Court around birthright citizenship.  How do we apply God's word to them?   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Security expert Elizabeth Neumann, author of "Kingdom of Rage," talks about the attacks on drug boats near Venuzuela.  How protocols are appropriate, especially from a Biblical standpoint?  Pastor Patrick Miller, co-host of the Not Just Sunday podcast, responds to portions of Jonathan Haidt's article where he asked ChatGPT how the Devil could destroy the next generation.  In particular, how eroded real relationships leads to many other issues.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Along with reviews of Zootopia, the final season of Stranger Things, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, Plugged In's Adam Holz addresses a recent report about 12th graders' deteriorating views on marriage.  Also, in the age of AI, are having students take blue book tests the answer?  Fitness expert Kim Dolan Leto helps us avoide fitness mistakes and traps of the holiday season, make it a real celebration of Jesus, and shares some favorite tasty and healthy holiday recipes.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Carmen LaBerge responds to WalletHub's list of top cities for sin in the US, as well as Oxford's choice of "rage bait" as the word of 2025.  While many focus on these words, what words do we need to focus on?  Apologist Daniel DeWitt, creative director for Scholar Leaders and blogs at Theolatte, reflects on how (then) atheist C.S. Lewis reconsidered the Gospel because J.R.R. Tolkien encouraged him to look afresh at the incarnation.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Pastor Jim Cymbala of Brooklyn Tabernacle in NYC and author of the devotional "Jesus Every Day," talks about the importance of meeting, relationing, and relying on God in the present.  Bible teacher Robert Morgan, author of "God Hasn't Forgotten You," joins us gain to look at Zechariah and Elizabeth, the oft-forgotten people in the Nativity story.  God hadn't forgotten them.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Austin Gravely of Digital Babylon and the What Would Jesus Tech podcast talks about the concerning integration of AI into children's toys.  He also helps us look through an article where Jonathan Haidt asked ChatGPT "if I were the Devil, how would I destroy the next generation?"  Kathy Branzell of the National Day of Prayer Taskforce encourages us to be mindful of our attitudes and our demeanor as we meet others this Christmas season.  She also talks about prayer, especially when it's hard this Christmas.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

On this special The Reconnect, we remember the 75th anniversary this year of the publishing of the first of the Chronicles of Narnia stories, Pastor Robert Castro talks about the impact of C.S. Lewis still has today.   It's our End of Year Fundraiser today!  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

On this special edition of The Reconnect, Jermaine Wilson, Justice Ambassador for Prison Fellowship, shares his story of how God redeemed his life from crime and drugs through Prison Fellowship, how he went on to be mayor of Leavenworth, KS.  Now he serves as with Prison Fellowship. It's our End of Year Fundraiser today!  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Linda Mintle, the relationship doctor, helps us look at the holidays and many of the relations wounds we may have.  How do you bring about healing in your relationships with family and friends?  Vaneetha Risner helps us see that times of weakness and failure can be, be, by God's grace, wonderful, growing gifts for you!     The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

How did God work for the salvation of those who lived behind the Iron Curtain? EEM's Dirk Smith, author of "The Impossible Dream," shares some of those amazing stories!  Political scientist Daniel Bennett helps us read more into "The Nones Project" research of Ryan Burge, this time helping us understand those who are "Zealous Atheists." Then, they look at the Nones and wellbeing, as well as the political gap between mainline clergy and their congregants.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Already feeling overwhelmed by the rush of the holiday season?  On this best-of The Reconnect, A.C. Seiple, author of "The Sacred Art of Slowing Down," helps us do just that:  slow down and embrace God's tender compassion and care, especially for the most wounded parts of us. Novelist Donna VanLiere, author of "Looking for Christmas," talks the importance of remembering the accounts of Jesus' birth and the people involved.  These past stories speak to us in the present day.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

On this best-of The Reconnect, Gabrielle Clowdus of Settled talks about how a diverse group of churches are showing love to the homeless by welcoming them to live in micro-homes on their church property and enfolding them into their families. Artist Brenda Bobart, author of "The Art of Advent," talks about using the 40 days before Christmas as a time to see our need for a Savior, so when Christmas comes we have a reason to truly celebrate.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

On this best-of Thanksgivings Day The Reconnect, dietician Rebecca Corwin, author of "Arise and Eat," shares her story of coming to Jesus and about how food in the Bible reveals God's grace and salvation for us. Spoken word artist Hosanna Wong, author of the children's book "What God Says About You," seeks to help parents and their kids understand the names God calls us and invite us to live in that identity.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

In this best-of Thanksgiving Day The Reconnect, Alexandra Hudson, author of "The Soul of Civility," offers us a survival guide on how to live and thrive in our divided times whil not losing your minds...or your relatives and friends.  NFL chaplains George and Tondra Gregory of Journey for Life Now, authors of "The Marriage Game Plan," talk about their marriage and their plans for it.  The also talk about mentoring NFL players and their wives in theirs.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

On this Thanksgiving Eve Day, Carmen is joined by Faith Radio team members Wyatt Morell, Kim Sanders, Angela Smith, and station manager Karisa Rogers.  They talk about family Thanksgiving traditions, favorite sides, and what they're thankful for this year.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

On this Thanksgiving Eve Day, Carmen is joined by Faith Radio team members Amanda Nydam, Michael Chermak, Ryan Mitchell and Kaycee Greisinger.  They talk about family Thanksgiving traditions, favorite sides, and what they're thankful for this year.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Julie Busler, author of "Hopeful Sorrow," shares some simple and practical tips for maintaining your mental health in during the holidays.  Dr. Pamela Pyle, author of "Anticipating Heaven," talks about navigating the holidays and traditions around them when loved ones are gone.  How does the hope of heaven help you during the holidays?  How do you ask or receive help during the holidays?  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

This Thanksgiving week, political scientist Adam Carrington helps us reflect on the presidential proclamations for thanksgiving by Presidents Washington and Lincoln, the heart behind them, and the God-ward focus of both.  Carmen, then, talks about the road trips many of us will be taking, the preparations we might want to consider, and some of the road trips in the Bible.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Security expert Elizabeth Neumann, author of "Kingdom of Rage," responds to a post by the President accusing a group of lawmakers, who were in a video reminding service members of their oath to uphold the Constitution, of sedition.   The also talk about religious groups seeking to establish their own communities. How concerned should you be?  Artist and writer Ruth Chou Simons, author of "The Way of the Wildflower," shares about a recent struggle she faced and how the metaphor about the wild flower helped develop resilience in the midst of the struggle.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

As we approach Thanksgiving, Lionshare's Dave Buehring seeks to help us develop the needed perspective of gratitude.  How do you cultivate that?  Carmen dips into the Monday Mailbag to answer a question about the power of "storying," sharing the narratives of the Bible in ways that provoke a person to ask important personal questions.  She also shares the story of NICU nurse Katrina Mullins who made room for a teen mom of triples.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Plugged In's Adam Holz again looks at the problem of sports betting, especially since it's so easily available on our smart phones.  These phones have affected us in many ways, especially in what we see as entertaining.  He also talks about the new moview "Wicked: For Good" and "The Carpenter's Son."  Denise Daniels, author of "Working for Better," seeks to help us live out our faith well and winsomely in our workplaces.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Carmen LaBerge talks about her time yesterday leading a devotional time with partner ministry.  (OK, she forgot she was to be part of this..)  The people at this ministry come from a wide variety of backgrounds.  How do the walk this life together?  Stories play an important part.  Daniel DeWitt of the Theolatte blog and Scholar Leaders helps us remember the thanks that is due to God alone.  Our feasting is meant to be an apologetic.  He also takes us through John 14, giving us 10 reasons to give thanks.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

With spiritual interest up globally but Bible engagement down, Steve Cleary of Revelation Media and the iBible app talks about a couple of resources for sharing the real, Biblical story of Jesus's birth through "The Real Story of Christmas" video and comic book.  Nathaniel Jeanson of Answers in Genesis, author of "They Had Names," talks about the people groups who lived in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans based on genetic and cultural markers.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Austin Gravley of Digital Babylon and the What Would Jesus Tech podcast talks about how some religious groups are creating AI Chatbots:  some potentially helpful like ones that will people understand their denominations teachings.  Others claiming to give you the ability to have conversations with Jesus or other Biblical characters.  Sports Spectrum's Jason Romano talks about how the Savannah Bananas exhibition baseball league will be having "sandlot" worship nights on the tours next year.  He also talks about the faith stories of  various athletes like the NFL's TreVeyon Henderson and NBA great George Hill. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Bill English of Bible and Business and OnPath Counseling unpacks why the "dark side" of a personality appears from time to time and ways to keep your marriage strong and growing. Hunter Beless, author of "Jesus Loves You More" and founder of Journeywomen, shares what she wants her children to know more than anything.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Daryl Crouch of Everyone's Wilson, a faith-based group seeking the welfare of Wilson County TN, outlines the questions the mobilized Church should be asking, while seeking to understand and serve others. Pastor Alfonso Espinosa, author of "Contending for Christ Through the Creed," shares about the almighty and magnificent Creator, who uses His power to love His creation. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Christian Medical and Dental Association's Dr. Bret Nicks talks about the advancements in hormone therapy for women and what factors to consider when it comes to absorbing Vitamin D. Vibrant Faith's Rick Lawrence outlines how our shame often gets in the way of our relationship with Jesus and what it looks like to treat Him as the black hole of the universe in our lives. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

The Briefing's Nick Pitts unpacks the increased violence against law enforcement in the U.S. and the layers behind continued strikes against drug boats. Luke Moon of the Philos Project and Generation Zion shares about the pursuit of building relationships with those we strongly disagree with and what it looks like to rebuke fellow Jesus followers in a Christ-like way. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

As we are quickly approaching the Holidays, Dr. Linda Mintle of The Doctor Linda Mintle Show and author of the workbook "Hope and Healing for Anxiety," talks about managing stress, as well as avoiding holiday weight gain.  Jennifer Hayden Stokes, author of "The Pioneer's Way," looks back at the pioneering spirit of the Pilgrims.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here    

Along with opening the Monday Mailbag, Carmen talks about the attention given to monks harvesting olives on the Mount of Olives. She also talks about a neighbor and their no soliciting sign that includes those who would evangelize.  How do we balance the right to practice your religion, the call to share the Gospel, and respecting the wishes of the person?  Politcial and social scientist Daniel Bennett looks at the continued decline of religiousity in American and talks more about the "nones," in particular those who are "spiritual, but not religious," and those who are "done" with religion.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here