Mornings with Carmen

Carmen LaBerge reflects on a recent segment on the Stephen Colbert show where PA Governor Josh Shapiro talks about feeling the prayers of others in the wake of an attack on his family.  She also talks about the growing movement around what are called "wind phones."  Are they helpful or Biblical?  Julie Busler, author of "Hopeful Sorrow," talks about her experience of childhood neglect, the trauma she experienced, and how can short-circuit her relations with others and with God now.  Yet, God and His people can also bring healing from your past.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Political scientist Mark Caleb Smith talks about current the federal government shutdown,  the broken federal budgeting process, and about the President's unilaterally doing military and covert operations in Venezuela.  What should be the processes that govern these issues?  Pastor James Runcorn, host of the Hodgepodge Theology podcast and author of "The Blog of a Forgiven Cheater," shares his story about cheating on his wife, how after over 30 years in church she offered a level of grace and forgiveness that blew his mind and changed his life.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Bill English of Bible and Business and OnPath Coaching helps us look beyond begrudgingly keeping God's law to seeing the joy available to us in obeying God's word and ways.  It's a way to be with Jesus.  Psychologist and counselor Debra Fileta of Talk to Me podcast and author of "Any Day Emotions," offers help for parents to help their kids navigate their emotions well.  It's actually helpful for adults, as well!  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Pastor JD Greear, host of Summit Life and author of "Everyday Revolutionary," helps us see Daniel as a good example of how we engage our society as believers, engaging others with grace and truth.  Mission Network News' Ruth Kramer updates us on how God's people are working in the Middle East, in light of the Gaza peace deal, to help those in need and share the gospel.  She also highlights recent, heightened persecution of Christians in China.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Carmen LaBerge looks at a variety of new headlines around peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, the return of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, the need to restoration, and the prospects for peace.  She also talks about Charlie Kirk's birthday today, and a look at Gen Z Christians who were impacted by him.  Micah Davis, author "Three Strikes, You're Forgiven," shares the story of his family's broken past, and the power of forgiveness to free us and others to thrive in God's grace.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Political scientist Adam Carrington helps us understand what happened last week before the US Supreme Court in the arguments around Chiles v. Salazar where the state of Colorado bans talk therapy for those seeking to help people who want help dealing with same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria.  As we remember the 75th anniversary this week 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.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Global security expert Elizabeth Newmann outlines what's behind the rise of nihilistic violence taking place and how to respond to those suggesting that violence is the solution. Peter Greer, co-author of "How Leaders Lose Their Way," shares about what we can learn from King Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes and giving those around us the permission to tell us no. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Coach and consultant Gregory Campbell of GCJ Enterprises shares about turning our emotional triggers into tools and increasing our conversational capacity. Carmen LaBerge reacts to the release of the Israeli hostages and the explosion at a Tennessee explosives plant, and talks about what higher righteousness looks like. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Plugged In's Adam Holz talks about the AI actress Tilly Norwood, how it could be impacting Hollywood, and also us!  Also, we may have at least two alternative Super Bowl half-time shows.  Brazos Fellowship's Paul Gutacker, author of "Practicing Life Together," talks about the importance of living and relating in community as a means for the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Kathy Branzell of the National Day of Prayer Taskforce helps us look back over the last month and all we've experienced.  She calls us to remember prayer, including praying for those who wish us harm.  She also talks about the theme for next year's National Day of Prayer:  "Glorify God among the nations, seeking Him in all generations."  Social media expert Chris Martin talks encourages us to start little fires of God's grace and truth as a way of bringing changes to the world around us.     Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Bible teacher Carol McLeod offers help to those dealing with depression and seeking joy in her 21-day devotion on beating depression.  While good psychological and physical care are essential, so is allowing God to renew your mind and heart.  Jon Seidl, author of "Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic," shares his story of addiction, and about how we really need to prioritize our relationship with and identity in Jesus to overcome.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Austin Gravley of the What Would Jesus Tech? podcast and Michael Graham of The Gospel Coalition talks about the AI Christian Benchmark Study comparing various AI platforms and how they answer basic questions around God, the Bible, and faith.  Not all AI answer truthfully.  Then, Carmen addresses a touring show where two late-night comedians "debate to the death" their hatred for each other and each others opinions. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

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.  Blair Linne, author of "Made to Tremble," shares her story of an accident with triggered a time of extreme anxiety.  In the midst of that, God called her to a deeper faith.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Pastor Daryl Crouch, who also serves as director for Everyone's Wilson, helps us meditate on Jesus's beatitude "Blessed are the peacemakers."  First being at peace with God, we are called help spread that peace through Jesus.  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.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Surgeon Dr. Tiffany Schatz of the Christian Medical and Dental Association addresses the questionable research being done to create embryos by inserting cells like skin cells into the human egg.  Essentially, it removes the woman's DNA from the creation of life.  They also talk about the FDA approval of a generic form of the abortion drug mifipristone.  Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek, president of the University of Northwestern - St. Paul and Northwestern Media, discusses efforts between him, Dr. Suzanna Rivera who is president of the more progressive Macalester College, and a group of each college's students to have civil conversations about how they can work together for the common good.     Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Nick Pitts of The Briefing looks at the legal battle over the President deploying National Guard troops in various cities, and compares it to the Whiskey Rebellion that President Washington faced.  He also offers insights around the Church of England naming the first woman as Archbishop of Canterbury.  Luke Moon of The Philos Project and Generation Zion reflects back on the past 2 years since Hamas attacked Israel and the state of negotiations to bring the war to an end.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Psychologist Linda Mintle talks about her new workbook "Hope and Healing for Anxiety."  With such high levels of anxiety in our society, especially among youth, how do we bring God and the best of our psychological and physiological understandings to help people overcome? Tom Brown of Heritage Apples talks about his quest to find almost forgotten varieties of apples.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Along with more thank you's to those who gave to Faith Radio in the wake of our Fall Fundraiser, Carmen talks about the latest effort to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas, calling on us to pray for leaders, but still keeping our hope and trust in God.  Political scientist Daniel Bennett, author of "Uneasy Citizenship," addresses the issue of the current federal government shutdown, plus responds to a recent survey where 30% of Americans are open to violence to achieve political ends.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Plugged In's Adam Holz talks about why genuine experience is the best cure for anxiety and gives a review for "The Promised Land" series. Kim Dolan Leto, author of "Fit God's Way," outlines what it looks like to walk out your God-given calling and why serving other people is the true defintion of success. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

The Equipped Newsletter's Thann Bennett shares what we can learn from Erika Kirk's choice to forgive and how to prepare for the moment when we will face opposition. Apologist Daniel DeWitt of Theolatte talks about living on earth as citizens of heaven and developing a Biblical worldview in our increasingly more complicated world. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

On this special edition of The Reconnect Podcast, Author Sharon Jaynes talks about the themes in her books "Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe" and "Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe." This week is our Faith Radio Fall Fundaiser.  Faith Radio podcasts, including The Reconnect, are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

On this special edition of The Reconnect Podcast, Dave Rahn of D6 Family, author of "Grit & Joy," talks about ways we can help your struggling youth look up from their phones and find joy and resilience through a healthy connection with God and community.   This week is our Faith Radio Fall Fundaiser.  Faith Radio podcasts, including The Reconnect, are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

On this special edition of The Reconnect Podcast, Ian Duguid, author of "Turning the World Upside Down," looks at the Book of Acts 1 - 8, and shows that the living and risen Jesus works through His followers to turn the world upside down...or maybe right side up. This week is our Faith Radio Fall Fundaiser.  Faith Radio podcasts, including The Reconnect, are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

On this special edition of The Reconnect Podcast, The Gospel Coalition's Trevin Wax, author of "The Gospel Way Catechism," shares about the false notion of freedom the world proclaims versus the kind of freedom Jesus offers. This week is our Faith Radio Fall Fundaiser.  Faith Radio podcasts, including The Reconnect, are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

With Halloween and horror movies in abundance already, Plugged In's Adam Holz reflects on why we like to scare ourselves.  He also looks at why teens are so lonely.  Then:  hurting people are coming to your church, and they don't just need "professional help."  Shaunti Feldhahn, author of "When Hurting People Come to Church," talks about how pastors and, yes, you can be a loving, faithful, healing presence in their lives.  Further help can be found at The Church Cares.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Along with her Friday Farm Report, Carmen looks at news around the former Vice President's book tour and a very ancient skull of  a human found in China and how we can use them in our conversations in a way that point peoplel to God.  Social media expert Chris Martin, author of "The Wolf in Their Pockets," addresses the report that there may be a deal for American ownership for the US operations of TikTok.  He also reflects on the porcelain bull that is his younger daughter.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

With Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Damon Friedman of SOF Missions joins us to talk about the unique challenges physically, emotionally and spiritually of veteran.  He offers hope for those dealing with suicide ideation.  Collin Hansen of The Gospel Coalition and the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics talks about the new resource "The Gospel After Christendom" and about the importance of cultural apologetics to help people see the dots of God's truths to connect.   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 recent research pointing how large language model generative AI usage seems to be  leading users to increasing unethical behavior.  He also explains what Discord is.  Pastor Alfonso Espinosa, author of "Contending for Christ Through the Creed," start taking us through the Apostle's Creed, showing how it can help us know who we are and who God is.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Faith Radio listener Jeremy Spring, author of "Gloriously Boring Christianity," talks about his life, how he looked early on for stuff to wow him, only to find that growing to be more Christ-like is often can seem mundane, but still amazing.  Bobby Jamieson, author of "Everything is Never Enough," takes us to the book of Ecclesiasties, challenging our belief that if we control things, we'll be happy.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Pastor Daryl Crouch, who also serves with Everyone's Wilson, helps you see the new people in your church:  the new believers, the transplants and the seekers.  How are you helping them grow to be more like Jesus.  Then, Carmen reminds us that discipleship is not a matter of taking a course in Sunday School.  Like Jesus was to His disciples, we need to be living curriculum with those we are with.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Christian Medical and Dental Association's Dr. Bret Nicks addresses recent news around autism studies and COVID vaccines.  How do you find out what's real in medicine and fitness?  Time of Grace's Mike Novotny, author of "How to Talk Taboo," encourages us to be brave both in confessing our sins and confronting others in their sin with a eye toward God's grace and redemption. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

The Briefing's Nick Pitts reflects on the Charlie Kirk memorial service and the powerful moment of his bereaved wife Erika offering forgiveness to his accused assasin.  Luke Moon of The Philos Project and Generation Zion talks about his experience being at the Charlie Kirk memorial, plus brings perspective to the recent declaration by some countries to recongnize Palestinian statehood.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

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.  The American Bible Society's John Plake talks about the crisis of identity that has gripped our culture, especially with younger people.  How do we help people strengthen their indentity, especially the one God's offers.  The discussion is based on the latest release from the State of the Bible Report 2025.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

In thinking about the memorial service for Charlie Kirk and all the planning that went into it, Carmen asks, "are you planning for your funeral?" Yes, it's a loving thing to do for those you leave behind.  Beyond that, what message do you want communicate?   Political scientist Daniel Bennett talks about the challenge of living in a world gripped by nihilism, a pervasive feeling and view of nothingness and meaninglessness.  As followers of a creator God who did so with purpose and meaning, nihilism is not an option.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Plugged In's Adam Holz talks about how we get desensitized by much of our entertainment choices and how that is collectively affecting our society.  Plus, Adam offers review of "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" and "The Senior." Then, Carmen looks are some new items lighter news items, including the inclusion of "snow" in this year's Toy Hall of Fall list of nominees.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

The Equipped Newsletter's Thann Bennett reflects on a beautiful bouquet of flowers that came from seeds given when his mother-in-law passed away.  At time of sorrow and pain, understand that God will make all things beautiful in its time.   Apologist Daniel DeWitt of Theolatte reflects on his relationships with several well known Christian hip-hop and rap artists who struggled against certain teachings and legalisms, and even distanced themselves from certain church circles only to come out closer to God and others.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

We all go through seasons of life when prayer comes hard.  We don't know what to pray?  Bible teacher Carol McLeod shares 9 powerful prayers using God's word to help us turn to God.  Jason Romano of Sports Spectrum talks about some of the players in the high stress world of sports who find strength knowing their indentity in Christ.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

In the wake of the assasination of Charlie Kirk, people have been speaking out with a variety of perpectives.  Some have lost jobs because of their comments. Political scientist Mark Caleb Smith weighs in.  He also address the topic of a threatened government crackdown on "hate speech."  Alistair Begg, speaker on Truth for Life, joins us to help us reflect on the faithfulness of Jesus to save as outlined in his booklet "The Man on the Middle Cross," and reflects on 30 years of the ministry of Truth for Life.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

After reading a recent op-ed co-authored by Dr. Corbin Hoorbeek of The University of Northwestern - St. Paul and Dr. Suzanne Rivera of Macalester College about what their doing for a "more perfect union," talks with Bill English of Bible and Business and OnPath Coaching talks about what it can feel like to feel out of place at work or even in church.  How can we cultivate a more welcoming community?  Also, do you have freedom of speech at work?  Jessica Smartt, author of "Come On Home," talks about how to cultivate a family environment that makes it so that you family loves to be together, especially as adults.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Christina Hannan of Praying Through Scripture Podcast and her husband Adam share about parenting their special needs daughter who will likely have a very short life, their second child with this rare disorder.  What does living on mission for their daughter look like?  Carmen Laberge then starts talking about the timeline of social media and personal interactions that Charlie Kirk's assassin had.  Why didn't anyone say anything?  What happens when we see something?  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Cultural analyst Daniel Darling, author of "In Defense of Christian Patriotism," offers a balance to what it means to be a faithful member of God's Kingdom while also loving the country God has placed you well.  Vibrant Faith's Rick Lawrence, author of "The Suicide Solution: Finding Your Way Out of Darkness," talks about how help those dealing with dark self-narratives and suicidal ideation.  How do we help them debug their minds and re-program their thoughts with God's truth about them.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Political scientist Adam Carrington talks about the power of being a defusing voice amid the rancor of hate in our politics, pointing people to the love and peace of Christ.  He also addresses the blurred lines of news and religion happening by the members of the Federal Government.  CBN News Faith Wire's Billy Hallowell recounts the responses of various Christian leaders in the wake of the assasination of Charlie Kirk.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Carmen LaBerge reflects on the last several days since the assasination of Charlie Kirk.  There's a lot of talk about who we as Americans re as a nation. But who do we want to be as a nation?  Is there a possibility of a turning point?

Pastor Josh Moody of God Centered Life helps us look at the current situation we find ourselves in, and how as followers of Jesus we need to truly understand God's love and truth, and how we need to walk in that balance among those around us.  Jennifer Hayden Stokes, author of "The Pioneer's Way," talked about geodes, those things that look like an ordinary rock, but inside have beautiful crystals.  How do we evaluate if we are like that, showing God's glory on the inside?  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here