Podcasts about finding faith

Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Ask Here!Why am I here? What's the point of life? Am I an accident? Does God really have a purpose for my life, or am I just existing? We all have that burning question on the inside of us, but did you know that God doesn't just want you to know that you have a purpose, but He also wants you to know what that purpose is. And when He reveals that purpose for you, just like with Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1, He is going to give you everything you need to fulfill that purpose.  In this week's episode, Coach Jamie shares the one thing that you need to do in order to discover God's purpose for your life. Chapters00:00 The Search for Purpose00:54 "There's a Reason You're Here and I Want You to Find Out Why!"03:14 Finding Faith and Transformation05:04 God's Plan and Personal Purpose06:51 Understanding God's Sovereignty09:23 Discovering Your God-Given Purpose11:50 The Importance of Seeking God13:06 Living Sacrificially for Purpose15:08 The First Step to Discovering God's Purpose17:29 Outro Grab your tickets for UncommonTEEN Live Today!UncommonTEEN.com/conferenceCONNECT WITH COACH JAMIE LIFE COACHING for Christian Teen Girls SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE! PODCAST RESOURCES ABOUT MERCH The UncommonTEEN App is available on the Apple Store! It looks like Google is going to take a bit longer.

Sermon preached on 13 July 2025 at Burnham Overy for sea SundayPsalm 107.23-32 Luke 8:22-25A link to the text of the talk can be found here

In this engaging conversation, Jay Jeezy shares his journey of personal growth, emphasizing the importance of stepping into one's truth and living with intention. He reflects on his early life experiences, the challenges he faced, and how he transformed a scarcity mindset into one of abundance. Through music, he found a means of self-discovery and healing, while also recognizing the significance of forgiveness and the impact of leadership. Jay emphasizes the value of curiosity, learning, and surrounding oneself with supportive individuals to foster growth and resilience. In this conversation, Jay Jeezy Jenkins shares his profound journey of healing, forgiveness, and personal growth. He reflects on the importance of embracing faith and spirituality, especially through the influence of his grandmother. Jay discusses the challenges he faced in the music industry, including the impact of bootlegging on his success. He emphasizes the significance of leadership, responsibility, and the pain that often accompanies making tough decisions. Ultimately, Jay expresses his desire to leave a lasting legacy by mentoring others and sharing his knowledge and experiences.Chapters00:00 Stepping into Your Truth09:40 Navigating Life's Challenges20:04 Survival and Growth28:15 Finding Your Signature35:48 The Journey of Forgiveness43:34 Finding Faith and Spirituality52:26 Overcoming Challenges in the Music Industry59:42 Navigating Fame and Leadership01:10:28 Building a Legacy Through Mentorship01:18:44 The Future: Learning and Giving Back

This week Diana welcomes back Dana Diaz, a bestselling author, to discuss her new book 'Choking on Shame.' Dana shares her personal journey of enduring narcissistic abuse from childhood into her adulthood and offers insights on how she managed to move forward. She talks about her first book, 'Gasping for Air,' and introduces her upcoming works. Dana emphasizes the importance of faith and resilience, providing hope and understanding to fellow victims of abuse. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on the complexities of overcoming trauma and finding one's true purpose. 00:00 Sponsor Message: 7 5 3 Academy 00:48 Introduction to the Podcast 01:21 Welcoming Back Dana Diaz 02:24 Dana Diaz's New Book: Choking on Shame 05:34 Dana's Journey Through Abuse 08:31 Finding Faith and Purpose 12:25 Overcoming Childhood Trauma 18:40 Reflections on Narcissistic Relationships 28:18 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser About Dana S. Diaz Dana S. Diaz is a wife, mother, and author of the best-selling book GASPING FOR AIR: THE STRANGLEHOLD OF NARCISSISTIC ABUSE. In addition to her life-long experience with narcissistic abuse, Dana's education in journalism and psychology at DePaul University in Chicago gave her the ability to accurately verbalize and express how narcissistic abuse creates confusion and conflict within victims, so that she can help other victims know they are not alone and better understand their own circumstances. Today, Dana is a proud voice for fellow victims who are unable, afraid, or ashamed to share their experiences. She has been a guest on nearly two hundred podcasts globally, striving to create awareness and understanding to ensure victims are given the support they need to first understand their situation and then begin the healing process. She has also been a featured speaker in two Summits for healing after trauma. Her first book, chronicling her own abusive marriage that lasted nearly three decades, started as a journal that she hid under the couch cushion in the basement. Dana's second book, CHOKING ON SHAME: THE SCAPEGOAT CHILD IN A NARCISSISTIC FAMILY, was a #1 New Release on Amazon after its mid-September release. The book delves into Dana's life as an unwanted pregnancy and child, and the physical and verbal abuse she endured as a result. The final book in the narcissist trilogy, SWALLOWING MY PRIDE, is expected to be released in early 2025. This sequel to GFA brings the first two books full circle with recovery, healing, new love, and another narcissist Dana hadn't seen coming. Learn more about Dana, her book, CHOKING ON SHAME, available at https://www.danasdiaz.com as of September 9th.    Website: https://dswministries.org Email: diana@dswministries.org Subscribe to the podcast: https://dswministries.org/subscribe-to-podcast/ Social media links: Join our Private Wounds of the Faithful FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1603903730020136 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DswMinistries YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxgIpWVQCmjqog0PMK4khDw/playlists Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dswministries/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSW-Ministries-230135337033879 Keep in touch with me! Email subscribe to get my handpicked list of the best resources for abuse survivors! https://thoughtful-composer-4268.ck.page #abuse #trauma Affiliate links: Our Sponsor: 753 Academy: https://www.753academy.com/ Can't travel to The Holy Land right now? The next best thing is Walking The Bible Lands! Get a free video sample of the Bible lands here! https://www.walkingthebiblelands.com/a/18410/hN8u6LQP An easy way to help my ministry: https://dswministries.org/product/buy-me-a-cup-of-tea/ A donation link: https://dswministries.org/donate/   Dana Diaz [00:00:00] I do have a sponsor 7 5 3 Academy. Our martial art program specialized in anti-bullying programs for kids to combat proven Filipino martial arts. Colli. We take a holistic, fun, and innovative approach that simply works. Our fitness community is friendly and supportive without the over the top muscle gym atmosphere. Our coaching staff are professionally trained with over 30 years of experience. Get started by claiming your free class voucher. So go to the link in the show notes. This is in the Phoenix Metro area, so reach out to Coach David and coach Eric over at 7 5 3 Academy. Welcome to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast, brought to you by DSW Ministries. Your host is singer songwriter, speaker and domestic [00:01:00] violence advocate, Diana. She is passionate about helping survivors in the church heal from domestic violence and abuse and trauma. This podcast is not a substitute for professional counseling or qualified medical help. Now here is Diana. Hello everyone. Welcome. Come on in. Glad to have you here for the regular listeners as well as some new folks coming in. We have a terrific show for you today, as always. We have a repeat guest today. Dana Diaz is on the show. She was here in season three, episode 1 53, talking about having a relationship with a narcissist, [00:02:00] which many of us have experienced. So if you haven't. Watch that episode. I really encourage you to go back and listen to it. It's excellent. The first time she was here. She was talking about her book, Gasping for Air, which is her story of, narcissistic abuse. And this time she's coming on because she just released a new book called Choking on Shame. Boy, what a title. Have you dealt with shame like the rest of us? Um, yeah, that's a great verb to use, a description to use choking. So I'm very intrigued about hearing about her second book since her first book was excellent. Okay, so here is her book. Very [00:03:00] engaging cover, a stranglehold of narcissistic abuse. Again, very descriptive, great title. This book is thick. it's very well written. Some parts are very tough to read, as you would imagine, just like. Maybe your story is hard. Your story has some hard sections in it. But before I bring her on the show, I'm gonna just briefly, read her bio again. For those that are new and haven't, met Dana. Dana Diaz is a wife, mother, and author of the bestselling book, Gasping for Air, the Stranglehold of Narcissistic Abuse. Dana has had lifelong experience with narcissistic abuse beginning in childhood. Her education in journalism and [00:04:00] psychology at DePaul University in Chicago gave her the ability to accurately verbalize and express how narcissistic abuse creates confusion and conflict within victims so that she can help other victims know that they are not alone and better understand their own circumstances. Today Dana is a proud voice for fellow victims who are unable, afraid, or ashamed to share their experiences. She strives to create awareness and understanding to ensure victims are given the support they need to first understand their situation and then begin the healing process. Her first book, chronicling her own abusive marriage that lasted nearly three decades, started as a journal. She hid [00:05:00] under the couch cushion in the basement. Dana is in the process of publishing the prequel and sequel to Gasping for Air. Learn more about Dana at www.danasdiaz.com. So I know that you're going to enjoy this interview, as much as the first one. So here we go with my second conversation with Dana Diaz. Enjoy. I am so excited to have back on the show, my friend Dan Diaz. Thank you for coming on the show again. Oh, I'm so happy I'm back. I just am delighted whenever somebody invites me back on a podcast because there's so many, as we were just talking about, there's so many things, layers to abuse and the things we endure. Um, so there's so much to talk about that's hard to cram into a [00:06:00] half hour or an hour show. So thank you for inviting me back. I appreciate it. Yeah. Well, I like having repeat guests because I already like you. I already know you and you have more to share with us with your new books. And so I'm real excited to hear what you have to say to the folks. I did give, a little bio before you came on, but if you could do like a synopsis, a summary of your abuse story, just as a reminder of what you've gone through so far. Yeah, absolutely. I'm 49 years old, so it's been a ride. But my first book actually covered my 25 year relationship and first marriage, to an abusive narcissist. And I know we use this word narcissist very freely in society, but what I'm talking about is somebody that is so, intent on fulfilling their [00:07:00] egotistical need for power and control, that they will go to the extent of, domestic violence and things like that, various abuses, to feel that, to fulfill that ego of theirs. And so, that covered that. But then after that book came out, the only book I ever meant, to put out. So many people had questions about, well, how does somebody end up in a relationship like that? And my immediate answer was, well, that was my childhood because I was born to a teenage mother who didn't want me. And she, in fact, she had her tubes tied immediately after my birth, and I was born on her 17th birthday. They apparently did that in the seventies. But, then she got married to a man who was not my father and who wanted me even less because I was not his biological child. And so I endured physical and verbal abuse and emotional neglect and, had a pretty hard time trying to figure out my place in the world, especially when I'd go to school thinking, okay, I'm okay [00:08:00] here. I'm safe here. And then I get bullied everywhere I turn, I'm facing adversity and opposition and being put in situations where I'm not good enough and I'm not this and I'm not that. And so what am I, what am I. But then we kind of answer that question in the third book, released March 31st. And that one is called Rising from the Ashes. Breaking the Cycle of Narcissistic Abuse. Yes, rising out of it. But, you know, it's sad that it took me till my late forties to really understand, and I think more so internalize and change my mindset about who I am and where my place really is in this world. Because when you're abused, I think anybody who is listening, who you know, has had that experience, it's part of your soul, feels like it's taken away. [00:09:00] Your independence, your autonomy, I love this. I have this scene in my third book, which. I'm crying, I'm upset because I'm like, I have no contact with my abusive mother and stepfather. I have ended my, relationship, divorced my ex-husband who is abusive. I should be happy. Things are going great. Marrying a man that I've known his family 20 years and he's the sweetest, gentlest, most patient person I've ever met in my life. And so what I really needed, but it was like I still wasn't happy. I was still suffering. I was in still so much pain, but there was no external outward reason for it. I had so many blessings all around me but I couldn't see it because I was still holding on to that victim mindset, that pain. And my priest looked me in my eye and he says, my dear. The problem is, is you are still thinking like you're [00:10:00] the daughter of a mother who rejected you, but you're not. He said, you're here because God intended for you to be here. She may not have wanted you, but he wanted you. Here you are God's child. You're not your mother's child. You're God's child. And that's when literally everything turned around for me. Everything turned around. Mm. And, just made me rethink my place in this world that I was like, that's right. He wouldn't have protected me and had his hand over me through that entire childhood, which I cover in the second book. He wouldn't have protected me from, an ex-husband who was planning to, not have me exist. He wouldn't have done all those things if I wasn't meant to be here to serve his purpose. I'll never forget the morning that I was just coming out of that first marriage and it literally just came into my head. You should write a book about your experiences. And I'd [00:11:00] never understood what it meant when God spoke to you or put something on your heart. But I literally remember like kind of glancing up like. Is that you? It's kind of like that old book. Are you there? God, it's me, Margaret. Like, I'm like, is that you book? Oh God. I know, right? We all have that as a staple in grade school, but that was like the same kind of thing. I'm like, looking up, are you there? God, it's me. Like, were you actually did, was that for me? Like did you, were you talking to me? But I heard it. I heard it loud and clear and that's what I did and it's amazing, as I said that I only ever meant to write the one book and then it led to the second one and now it's. Led to people wanting more. And even now people are like, what about a fourth book? I'm like, the third one isn't even out yet. But now I'm like, actually there is a fourth book in me , and half written already, ironically, because there are so many stories that are pulled out to keep these books. I mean, I know they're thick, but they're pretty quick reads. But, it's been a heck of a ride. But again, I go back to the faith and I think that [00:12:00] as much as people say stay away from religion, politics, when it comes to God, we are all here because we are his children. And once, like I said, I, I got that and somebody said that to me. I'm like, everything changed. Everything changed. It's like I woke up, like my eyes opened up and I said, oh my gosh, I am here. And let me tell you a quick story. And I might have told this on the first podcast, but. During my childhood, and I covered this in my second book, which is called Choking on Shame, the Scapegoat Child in a Narcissistic Family. When you're being raised by two narcissists, it's difficult because I was that kid that always wanted to achieve more, more, doing everything right. I was the best at everything. Honor roll. I taught myself to play piano. I was first chair viola in two orchestras, and like whatever it was, I wanted to do things that would make my parents proud. But it was never enough. It was never enough because I couldn't [00:13:00] be any more than what they wanted me to be, which was nothing, right? So that they could feel better about the way they were treating me. But the irony is, is that as I was going through high school, I really wanted to go to beauty school. I so desperately wanted to do like makeup and facials and stuff. I was really interested in that and, nope. Again, narcissists. They can't brag about a daughter going to beauty school when cousin Joey's going to study engineering and that one's going to study physical therapy or become a doctor. It wasn't brag worthy. Mm-hmm. So they said, you have to go to college. And I'm like, what am I gonna do in college? I mean, yeah, I got good grades, but I didn't wanna go to college. I wanted to go to beauty school. Well, guess what? I went to college. I ended up going to DePaul University in Chicago. Good Catholic girl. Stayed with my faith. I loved the experience, honestly, and I'm glad I did it. But, uh, there's no classes on beauty over there or fashion or [00:14:00] anything unless you wanna be a fashion designer. And I didn't wanna do that. Mm-hmm. But I definitely studied psychology because I knew that I wanted to be in a better mindset myself, even that young. But the funny thing was that all my professors pushed me more towards public speaking and writing. So I went into the journalism program, came out of there. That's about when I met my ex-husband, and again, another narcissist. He would not support me in any efforts to become a journalist or, or work in any kind of media, even, you know, small town, little cable media, because joy, success, achievement, that would outshine anything that he could possibly, or that he thought he could, achieve himself. So he had me cleaning houses, in this podunk town that he moved us to in the Midwest. And um, that was fine. I was one, I've always been one of those people, like, if I'm gonna do something, I'm just gonna do it. Give [00:15:00] 200%. I was reliable. I was trustworthy. I ended up building a six figure empire with this cleaning business and had a crew of eight people. But where I'm going with all this is that, so when I get this idea after that divorce, that I should write this book, it was interesting because I looked back and I thought, talk about coming full circle here. I was in this abusive childhood. I remember 12 years old was the first time I actually thought like I would never want anybody else to endure what I have. And I know I have not even had the most horrific childhood. Other people, most certainly have endured worse, but I knew I wanted to help children that were victims of child abuse so that they could live better lives as adults, and not be stuck in that situation or repeat those cycles with their children. So here I was [00:16:00] 45 years old, have endured this childhood, have endured this abuse, get this idea to write a book, and then I'm like, oh, so this is why you did this to me. God, this is why I couldn't go to beauty school. I had to endure all this stuff, and then you made me go to college. Or you at least put me with two parents who absolutely would not hear anything other than me going to college. I end up in the journalism program. Now I have a degree in journalism that I've never used, but now I've had all these experiences that I can actually verbalize. Help victims of abuse. Mm-hmm. It was like one of those epiphanies where like you're like, oh, that's why you did this all. Like, but we don't see it when we're going through things. We can't see the light at the end. We can't see that there is reason we get, we kind of drown ourselves in the sorrow and the self pity. And it's not to say the things that I endured weren't worthy of, that they were, [00:17:00] you know, awful. Other people have had more awful circumstances, but I think that's the thing that you have to come to at the end of it is to trust. You have to trust God. He's not putting you through anything because I mean, there were times where I'm like, what did I do? What did I do? Like I'm a good girl. Like I haven't, I've made mistakes. We all do. But like, what have I done that was so bad that I deserve this? And I think so many people fall into that and then they start shaming themselves, blaming themselves, blaming God sometimes turning away from him. And for me, it was just, it. He was ever present. There would be people that would come into my life at certain points, whether momentarily or for, some amount of time that would sort of kind of like, like a shepherd kind of herd me back, like into God's light. And so it was like, I couldn't see it until I was there, until the last few years where I'm like, oh, okay, God, I see this now. But maybe some of us aren't meant to understand or [00:18:00] even know. Why and what and all this. But we have to trust, we have to trust that even the bad stuff is meant for us. And it's meant for a specific reason and it's meant for our specific, unique purpose in this world and in this life. And so hopefully that gives other, somebody some hope that no matter what their circumstance, there's a reason for it. And it might not even be for you, it might be for somebody else's benefit or for them to learn a lesson. I mean, we, there we're all so interconnected, but we all are a source from God. Hmm. I totally agree with that. Agree. I know you kind of, glossed over your, ex-husband and the suffering you went through with him in gasping for air. I remember that story. Yeah. Of you were asleep in your house. With your son, and you heard somebody unlocking the door downstairs and [00:19:00] it was your ex-husband just barging in, in the middle, middle of the night, was barging in and took your son and you're wrestling with him downstairs trying to keep him, literally from taking him away from you. And we talked about this before the podcast about the language in your book. The words that he would call you in front of your son and trying to sneak into your house in the middle of the night. That's a monster. That is a monster, yeah. That you were married to. And that must have been really terrifying. How do you move forward from that? That's why I wrote the second book, because I came out of this childhood basically being conditioned to think that I had to earn love, that I wasn't inherently worthy of it. And it's hard to even love yourself when you think you have to earn love or that, you know, even as a kid, and certainly as an adult, I'd look around , I notice [00:20:00] other families and how they operate. Or when I was playing at a little friend's house or having dinner at somebody's house as an adult, like everybody's mother loves them. Every family has dysfunction. But it's family. You stick together and a mother loves all her children, or at least she's supposed to. But I think that's the part that I wrestled with the most was that my mother did not, I mean, she did not want me before I was born. She did not endear herself after, to me after I was born. In fact, after I was born, um, my grandma and I were just talking about this recently that, my grandma and great grandmama came to the hospital and my mother had no intention of bringing me home. She was gonna adopt me out or leave me there, whatever. And my grandma said, oh, no, this is our first grandchild, our first great-grandchild. No, no, we are taking her home. And my grandma said she paid the bill and my grandma took me home with her, and that's who I was with. But at the point where my mother got [00:21:00] married, or, moved in, I should say, before she got married to her husband, who she is still married to after almost 40 years. Um, well, no, it's been just over 40 years actually. But, somebody thought it was a good idea for me to go and live with them because, it's kind of interesting looking at my mother's situation. You know, her family came from Puerto Rico, both of her parents, and they lived in Chicago. They had everything they needed, but certainly weren't living the life that she thought she should have. And she was a very, oh, just a stunning, stunning young woman. Um, and I think she knew it and she knew that she could have a better life without having to necessarily, go the route that a lot of people would. And I'm trying to be very careful how I word that, as you can see, because I don't wanna judge her. That's a whole other thing that I deal with in the third book is my relationship and my feelings about her. But the childhood [00:22:00] being raised by somebody like that who's telling me, oh no, we're gonna wear gap clothes now. We're gonna talk like this. Now we're gonna straighten our hair now. Nobody needs to know where Hispanic, nobody needs to know. He's not your real father. Putting on this facade and basically being told as a small child as early as five years old, I remember being told to lie to people. So I just didn't say anything. 'cause I couldn't keep my mother's story straight. I'm not even sure she could keep her story straight because she told lies about who we were so often. I, I mean, it literally made my head spin and I started saying to my friends as a little girl and all through adulthood, my mother and her stories. They always had a story for everything. And I think that's what I know readers have expressed when they read that book, choking on Shame is the frustration of what happened versus what was put out. I mean, she is like the media, you know, she's like [00:23:00] a political correspondent that's definitely sided on, one side and it's hers. Um, it was never on mine, and that's hard as a child to understand that your mother does not love you, that you cannot depend on your mother to take care of you emotionally, physically. Nothing. So, yeah, it was basically like serving me straight up to a monster because the opening of gasping for Air, the first chapter is when he literally walked into my place of work the first time I met him. And I remember very clearly thinking of the robot had lost in space with the coily arms danger, danger. Like he, he came off arrogant and smug and like he, he had a sense of entitlement and it just, reminded me so much of my stepfather and I thought, oh, I know this personality type. There's no way. But [00:24:00] when you grow up like I did, you're a people pleaser. You, it doesn't matter. It could be the devil himself. You want that person to be pleased with you. You can't deal inside of yourself with the rejection of anybody or anybody's disapproval or disagreement. It's a hard position to be in and something that's very hard to heal from. But that's how I ended up with somebody like that. But we have to remember too, that I always joke with people, I have all these pop culture references, but they're helpful. I always say, it's not like Chucky came into my office with, you know, with a weapon and a striped shirt and disheveled hair and said, Hey, baby, that doesn't do it for me. I don't think anybody would go on a date with Chucky. We have to remember even. Ted Bundy, the serial killer. He was charming and handsome, wasn't he? Mm-hmm. And that's how they lure us in. So even though my initial impression of my ex was [00:25:00] not a good one, I kind of had this hypervigilant detection system. Like, oh no, I know you buddy. You don't even have to say two words. I know who you are. I didn't listen to it because he didn't approve of me. And that, that just trumped everything I had to win his approval. So once I got him to like me a little bit enough to let me in, well then he saw a vulnerable, codependent, people pleasing opportunity to take advantage and take control. And that's exactly what he did. But, but I'm gonna be very clear about this because I'm big on accountability. Sure. Looking back, I mean, it's not my fault that I was raised that way. It's not my fault necessarily that I was vulnerable to a romantic relationship like that. But I do see that, for example, my biological father, who I have a wonderful relationship with, he had two daughters and [00:26:00] like my one sister, the oldest, one of the two, they were raised in a home by two loving parents who wanted them, supported them, encouraged them, took them to church every Sunday. You know what we would think is, uh, I hate to use the word normal, but normal, nice family, right? Oie. Yeah. It would be healthy. She has self-esteem. She knows who she is. She has boundaries. I didn't, I was none of that. So if you would've put her in that same situation I was in with my ex back then, she would not have entertained it in the slightest, right? She would've set that boundary and said, no, thank you. Have a nice day, and that would've been it. Um, me, like I said, just a little bit different. And I think unfortunately, a lot of people that fall into these romantic relationships do have that sense of needing to have the approval and needing to, please other people for whatever reason. And sometimes it's ironically not even a bad childhood. Sometimes [00:27:00] it's this personality that we call the parentified daughter. It could be a daughter of a very nice family, but the oldest daughter who had to help mom with the siblings or it could be the daughter mm-hmm. Of an alcoholic or somebody with a drug dependency who had to be the parent to the parents and to the other children. The parentified daughter that has this intense, uh. She's compelled to nurture and care for and take care of everybody. She subdues her own needs and takes care of everybody. But it's like these narcissistic or abusive people. Um, they can just sense that It's like they can sniff it out because that's exactly what they want you to do. You jump through the hoops and I will give you a treat. I mean, I liken it and gasping for air, oftentimes to being like a dog. I, if I was a good girl, which he actually used that verbiage with me, good girl, good girl all the time. If I said the right thing, good girl. Even [00:28:00] in the bedroom, good girl. It's sad when I look back on what I tolerated, but, um, if I was a good girl, then he treated me okay for a few days. But boy, if he saw that, I said or did something he didn't approve of, well, then I suffered consequences. I think this is a great time to stop our conversation. For now. I definitely wanna hear the rest of what she has to say. She has given us so many gold nuggets today as she has the first time she was on the show, and I really, want to continue the conversation with her a little bit further though. I do encourage you to come back the next time on the wounds of the Faithful podcast. I wish you a great week. God bless you and bye for now. [00:29:00] Thank you for listening to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast. If this episode has been helpful to you, please hit the subscribe button and tell a friend. You could connect with us at DSW Ministries dot org where you'll find our blog, along with our Facebook, Twitter, and our YouTube channel links. Hope to see you next week.  

Join Paul Garcia as he delves into powerful stories of faith, redemption, and renewal on Catholic Conversations. In this episode, Heather Wilson opens up about her tumultuous upbringing marked by a father struggling with PTSD, family instability, and her own battles with anger and resentment. Discover how, through divine providence, Heather found her way back to her Catholic faith, bringing peace and transformation into her life. Also featured are Libby Morissette Andrews and her husband, Monty Andrews, who narrate their shared journey back to the Catholic Church. Learn how their faith, challenged in their younger years, was reignited, and the role of shared devotion in strengthening their marriage. Tune in to uncover the profound impact of faith and community support in overcoming life's hurdles and rekindling spiritual connections.

Series: What's Next!? Finding Faith in Transitions Sermon Title: Paul: Faith to Follow God's New Direction Scripture: Acts 9:1-22; Acts 13:1-3Series Idea: Trusting God when you don't know what's next. Faith isn't just for the destination; it's forged in the transitions. God meets us, grows us, and uses us in every season of change.  Sermon idea: When God redirects our lives through transition, He meets us in our stubbornness, transforms us in our waiting, and sends us with His purpose. Bottom Line: God's interruptions are invitations, trust Him to change your direction.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: A Family's Spiritual Journey: Finding Faith in Rome Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2025-07-03-22-34-01-it Story Transcript:It: Giovanni camminava lentamente lungo Via della Conciliazione, stringendo la mano di sua figlia Bianca.En: Giovanni walked slowly along Via della Conciliazione, holding the hand of his daughter Bianca.It: Il cielo di Roma brillava di un azzurro profondo, mentre il caldo sole estivo scaldava le antiche pietre sotto i loro piedi.En: The sky over Rome shone with a deep blue, while the hot summer sun warmed the ancient stones beneath their feet.It: Dietro di loro, Lorenzo procedeva a passo svogliato, con le mani in tasca e lo sguardo distratto.En: Behind them, Lorenzo moved at a sluggish pace, his hands in his pockets and a distracted look on his face.It: La meta del loro viaggio era vicino: la maestosa Città del Vaticano si ergeva maestosa davanti a loro.En: The destination of their journey was near: the majestic Vatican City stood grandly before them.It: Giovanni sperava che questo pellegrinaggio avrebbe rafforzato la fede della sua famiglia.En: Giovanni hoped that this pilgrimage would strengthen his family's faith.It: Non era solo una visita turistica, ma un viaggio spirituale.En: It was not just a tourist visit, but a spiritual journey.It: Giovanni desiderava che i suoi figli comprendessero l'importanza della fede nella vita.En: Giovanni desired that his children understand the importance of faith in life.It: Bianca, con la sua curiosità innocente, era entusiasta di esplorare ogni angolo.En: Bianca, with her innocent curiosity, was enthusiastic about exploring every corner.It: Lorenzo, invece, metteva in dubbio il significato dell'esperienza.En: Lorenzo, on the other hand, questioned the significance of the experience.It: "Papà, perché dobbiamo camminare così tanto?"En: "Dad, why do we have to walk so much?"It: si lamentò Lorenzo.En: Lorenzo complained.It: Giovanni respirò profondamente, cercando di mantenere la calma.En: Giovanni took a deep breath, trying to remain calm.It: "Lorenzo, voglio che tu veda la bellezza e la storia che ci circondano.En: "Lorenzo, I want you to see the beauty and the history that surrounds us.It: Qui, ci connettiamo con qualcosa di più grande di noi."En: Here, we connect with something greater than ourselves."It: Arrivarono a Piazza San Pietro.En: They arrived at St. Peter's Square.It: L'imponente Cupola del Michelangelo sovrastava tutto con la sua gloria.En: The imposing Michelangelo's Dome loomed over everything with its glory.It: Bianca osservava affascinata, i suoi occhi brillavano di fronte alla vastità della piazza.En: Bianca watched in fascination, her eyes shining at the vastness of the square.It: Giovanni si fermò per un momento di silenzio, chiudendo gli occhi in preghiera.En: Giovanni paused for a moment of silence, closing his eyes in prayer.It: Lorenzo guardava attorno, cercando di nascondere una leggera curiosità che stava crescendo.En: Lorenzo looked around, trying to hide a slight curiosity that was growing.It: Dentro la Basilica di San Pietro, l'aria era fresca e profumata dall'incenso.En: Inside St. Peter's Basilica, the air was cool and fragrant with incense.It: La luce del sole filtrava attraverso le vetrate colorate, gettando riflessi multicolori sulle mura antiche.En: Sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, casting multicolored reflections on the ancient walls.It: Giovanni fece un cenno a Lorenzo di avvicinarsi mentre si inginocchiava davanti al maestoso altar maggiore.En: Giovanni motioned for Lorenzo to come closer as he knelt before the majestic high altar.It: Improvvisamente, Lorenzo si fermò.En: Suddenly, Lorenzo stopped.It: Qualcosa nell'architettura e nella calma solenne della basilica toccò il suo cuore.En: Something in the architecture and the solemn calm of the basilica touched his heart.It: Sentì qualcosa di nuovo, una connessione che non aveva mai percepito prima.En: He felt something new, a connection he had never perceived before.It: Non era solo la bellezza del posto, ma un sentimento di pace interiore che non riusciva a spiegare.En: It was not just the beauty of the place, but a feeling of inner peace he could not explain.It: Giovanni notò il cambiamento in suo figlio.En: Giovanni noticed the change in his son.It: Con un sorriso gentile, abbandonò il bisogno di spiegare con parole.En: With a gentle smile, he abandoned the need to explain with words.It: Invece, prese Lorenzo in un abbraccio silenzioso, rispettando lo spazio che il ragazzo aveva trovato.En: Instead, he took Lorenzo in a silent embrace, respecting the space the boy had found.It: Dopo aver trascorso diverso tempo nella basilica, la famiglia uscì insieme.En: After spending some time in the basilica, the family left together.It: Giovanni camminava fianco a fianco con Lorenzo, senza bisogno di parole.En: Giovanni walked side by side with Lorenzo, without the need for words.It: Sull'autobus che li riportava al loro alloggio, Giovanni rifletté.En: On the bus taking them back to their lodging, Giovanni reflected.It: Aveva capito che il viaggio di fede di Lorenzo sarebbe stato unico, diverso dal suo.En: He had understood that Lorenzo's journey of faith would be unique, different from his own.It: Ma non meno significativo.En: But no less significant.It: Quando lasciarono Roma, c'era un nuovo rispetto tra padre e figlio.En: When they left Rome, there was a new respect between father and son.It: Nel cuore di Giovanni, c'era la consapevolezza che la fede cresce in modi diversi e che ogni percorso è degno di essere rispettato.En: In Giovanni's heart, there was the awareness that faith grows in different ways and that every path is worthy of respect.It: Bianca, seduta accanto a loro, sorrideva, sentendo la nuova armonia che si era creata.En: Bianca, sitting next to them, smiled, feeling the new harmony that had been created.It: La famiglia lasciò la Città del Vaticano arricchita, non solo dalla bellezza che avevano visto, ma anche dalla comprensione nuova.En: The family left Vatican City enriched, not only by the beauty they had seen, but also by the new understanding.It: Giovanni sapeva di dover lasciar spazio a Lorenzo di scoprire la sua strada, mentre Lorenzo comprendeva un po' di più il suo padre spirituale.En: Giovanni knew he had to give Lorenzo space to discover his own path, while Lorenzo understood a little more about his spiritual father.It: La loro avventura a Roma fu un passo importante nel loro viaggio di vita insieme.En: Their adventure in Rome was an important step in their journey of life together. Vocabulary Words:journey: il viaggiopilgrimage: il pellegrinaggiomajesty: la maestositàdome: la cupolabasilica: la basilicaaltar: l'altarefaith: la fedearchitecture: l'architetturaincense: l'incensostained glass windows: le vetrate colorateconnection: la connessioneinner peace: la pace interioreembrace: l'abbracciolodging: l'alloggiocuriosity: la curiositàawareness: la consapevolezzaharmony: l'armoniasignificance: il significatoreflection: il riflessospiritual: spiritualeancient stones: le antiche pietredistracted look: lo sguardo distrattoenthusiasm: l'entusiasmoinnocence: l'innocenzaprayer: la preghieragesture: il cennostep: il passoshade of blue: l'azzurrosilence: il silenziofragrant: profumato

If your story didn't unfold the way you thought it would—if you're carrying the weight of a marriage that ended and wondering how to move forward—this episode is for you.In this raw and hope-filled conversation, we sit down with a woman who knows what it's like to let go of the title “wife” and step into a new, unexpected chapter—not just as a woman of faith, but as a mother. She shares how she processed grief, rediscovered her identity, and learned to lean into God like never before—while still showing up for her child.We talk honestly about what it means to be a Christian woman and a mom walking through divorce—not just the heartbreak, but the healing. This isn't about bouncing back—it's about being rebuilt in a way only God can do.If you've ever asked, “God, what now?”—this episode is your gentle reminder that letting go doesn't mean giving up. It means making room for something new.

Series: What's Next!? Finding Faith in Transitions Sermon Title: Peter: Faith After Failure Scripture: Luke 22:54-62; John 21:15-19; Acts 2Series Idea: Trusting God when you don't know what's next. Faith isn't just for the destination; it's forged in the transitions. God meets us, grows us, and uses us in every season of change. Sermon idea: Peter's denial of Jesus was a crushing failure, but the risen Christ restored him and called him to lead. Peter's story shows that God's grace is greater than our mistakes, and He often uses our greatest failures as the foundation for our greatest impact.Bottom Line: Failure isn't the end; God can use your comeback for His glory.

Welcome to Inside the Epicenter, where we bring you real stories from the heart of Israel. In this episode, cohost Lynn Rosenberg is joined by Judy Pex, a ministry leader based in Eilat, to discuss what it’s like to live—and serve others—during intense and uncertain times in Israel. Lynn shares firsthand accounts of daily life under the threat of sirens in Jerusalem, while Judy offers insights from Eilat, highlighting how routines, faith, and community become anchors during crisis. Together, they explore the challenges faced by families, ministry workers, and displaced people, as well as the importance of scripture, connection, and practical support. Tune in for an honest and hope-filled conversation about staying steady in your heart and serving others during a season of great upheaval. (00:02) "Judy's Shelter Ministry Journey"(04:34) Finding Faith in Uncertainty(09:42) Tensions and Threats in Israel(12:34) Moved to Hostel Room for Safety(15:55) Travel Disruptions and Psalm Reflections(17:53) Faith, Scripture, and Resilience(29:04) "Unity Through Differences"(30:06) "Heart's True Content Revealed When Shaken"(33:51) "Trusting People Over Divine Aid"(37:43) Closing Thoughts and Prayer Requests(41:07) Praise and Gratitude to Jesus(42:59) Supporting Israel's Displaced Families Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.comMake a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua FundStock Media provided by DimmySad / Pond5 Verse of the Day: Psalms chapter 73: 22-24. Nevertheless, Lord, I am continually with you. You hold my right hand, you guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I may tell of all your works. Pray for the church to be bold and to see the opportunitiesPraying for the believers to be calm, to come together, to grow in their faith and grow in community, and also to keep our eyes on the Great Commission, that those around us need to know the hope that is in us.Related Episodes:Joel at Refuge Church Pt.2 God Shaking Israel: A Biblical Perspective on Recent Events #296SPECIAL EPISODE: Trump SHOCKS world by ordering B-2 bombers to ATTACK Iranian nuclear sites #295SPECIAL EPISODE: Fmr VP Mike Pence "Trump & Israel must FINISH THE JOB of crushing Iran" #294Israel at War: Urgent Updates and The Humanitarian Response in the Epicenter #293Donate a generous monthly gift to The Joshua Fund to bless Israel and Her Neighbors now and for the long haul. Become an Epicenter Ally today! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We are seeing an increase in Gen-Zers seeking more answers to their faith questions. The Plugged In team explores this phenomenon and how technology and social media may be contributing to it. The team then reflects on Christopher Nolan’s 20-year old movie Batman Begins and the influence its had on superhero movies. Click here to get your copy of the Plugged In teams terrific book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Redeemed Zoomer · Batman Begins · The Dark Knight Check out the Plugged In Blog: · Building Faith Online: A Conversation with Redeemed Zoomer The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Talking with the homie Corey London Barber Teacher at Faded Culture Academy, Football to being a Barber. Gods Grace and how cutting hair turning his life to Christ has changed his perspective on life. If you are wanting to become a barber or have the skills of cutting hair visit https://fadedcultureacademy.com And sign up Today! Visit CountdownSA Right here in San Antonio Texas! https://www.countdownsa.comMás Energy

Hayaatan Tayyiba: Finding faith in an unstable world - Spiritual anchors in times of uncertainty |Shaykh Bilal Ismail by Radio Islam

In this raw and powerful episode, we peel back the curtain on the inner war we all face—the battle between who we are and who we're becoming. It's a deep dive into self-awareness, discipline, leadership, spiritual grounding, and the voices in our heads that either hold us back or propel us forward. From business to personal transformation, we talk about what it really takes to kill the inner enemy, elevate your frequency, and step boldly into your next level. This one hits different. Tap in.

In this episode, CCEF faculty Gunner Gundersen, Esther Liu, and Darby Strickland discuss the often painful experience of feeling that God is silent. They explore the emotional turmoil and spiritual distress that accompanies this silence, particularly during prolonged suffering, and how it can lead to feelings of abandonment and doubt. Gunner, Esther, and Darby talk about how Scripture provides a framework for understanding and processing this experience of silence, and they discuss the commonality of this struggle among Christians. Ultimately, we hope this episode encourages you to trust in God's faithfulness, even when his presence feels distant, and to find solace in the stories of others who have endured similar trials. Mentioned in this episode: Download free audio from 8 conference sessions on the topic of guilt and shame here. Related resources: The Myth of God's Silence | Blog post by Ed Welch God's Grace in Your Suffering | Book by David Powlison

In this episode, Brad Lowe explores the idea of ghosting—not just in relationships, but in our walk with God. He draws a powerful parallel between relational silence and the moments when God feels distant, reminding listeners that God's silence is never His absence. Through the stories of biblical figures like Joseph and David, Brad shows how waiting isn't passive—it's a bold act of trust. He encourages us to reflect on what we're waiting for, lean into prayer, and stay connected with community as we navigate the quiet seasons that often lead to the most growth.Follow the show here:⁠https://www.instagram.com/workadviceforme/⁠Leave us a review on iTunes and Spotify.This show is brought to you by The Hopecast Networkhttps://www.instagram.com/hopecastnetwork/

Series: What's Next!? Finding Faith in TransitionsSermon Title: Moses: Faith to Embrace a New IdentityScripture: Exodus 3:1-15Series Idea: Trusting God when you don't know what's next. Faith isn't just for the destination; it's forged in the transitions. God meets us, grows us, and uses us in every season of change.  Sermon idea: God invites us to let go of our old labels and step into His calling. Bottom Line: God's presence is the foundation of our identity.

Welcome to a poignant episode of Good News on Catholic Spirit Radio with your host, Deacon Al Lundy. In this episode, Deacon Al shares personal insights following the recent passing of his mother, highlighting the challenges and unexpected moments of grace encountered during the funeral process. Drawing parallels between his personal experience and the readings for the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, he explores the significance of the Eucharist as a divine inheritance left by Jesus for all believers. He discusses the distinct differences in the Catholic and Protestant perspectives on death and how Catholicism focuses on faith, hope, and the celebration of eternal life. Join in as Deacon Al invites listeners to reflect on the abundance of God's grace and the profound meaning behind the Eucharist, encouraging all to partake in this spiritual inheritance fully. Tune in for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation that deepens understanding of the true essence of faith, community, and God's everlasting love. Email your questions to Deacon AL:    goodnews@catholicspiritradio.org

Discover how a civil engineering graduate’s path took an unexpected turn towards priesthood after a life-changing encounter at a SEEK conference. Father David Nowicki shares his remarkable transformation from technical professional to spiritual leader, highlighting how God works in mysterious ways. In this deeply personal conversation, Father Nowicki reflects on his ordination experience, including a […]

Send us a textNolan is a father, survivor, and man in recovery. After enduring trauma, addiction, street violence, and the death of multiple loved ones, Nolan found himself in a coma after his liver and kidneys failed. From drinking hand sanitizer to preaching the Word, Nolan's story is a raw journey through loss, addiction, spiritual awakening, and the power of second chances.=============Key Learning Points

Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MULLIGAN Save 10% off your Marek Health order by using code “MULLIGAN” at https://www.marekhealth.com/ #ad Unlock exclusive ad-free interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and unseen footage. Join our Patreon for the ultimate Mulligan Brothers experience- https://www.patreon.com/mulliganbrothers If you're struggling and want to speak with an online, professional, and affordable counselor consider going to our partner Betterhelp for 10% off your first session - https://betterhelp.com/mulliganbrothers Places to find Eddie Penney: https://www.instagram.com/eddie.penney/ https://linktr.ee/eddiepenney https://unafraid.org/store/ https://www.instagram.com/contingentgroup/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52WvikdO41M In this episode, Eddie Penney shares his journey from Navy SEAL and Marine to devoted father, entrepreneur, and spiritual mentor. Known for his elite military background and high-stakes operational experience, Eddie opens up about the emotional toll of war, the identity crisis that followed his transition out of the SEALs, and how faith, fatherhood, and a new mission helped rebuild his life. Eddie introduces the powerful concept of a "hot wash," a military-style debrief used to reflect, critique, and improve—a practice he's now brought into daily life, parenting, and business. His story is rich with lessons on overcoming fear, taking action in the face of uncertainty, and letting go of ego-driven success in favor of deeper personal growth. From the rigors of BUD/S training to the humility of apologizing to his children, Eddie's candor is both disarming and inspiring. This conversation strips away the myths of invincibility surrounding special operations forces, revealing the man behind the uniform. For anyone seeking clarity, courage, or a sense of purpose beyond career titles and accolades, Eddie's transformation offers a powerful reminder that true strength is found in vulnerability, accountability, and faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this raw and powerful episode, Joe Adams sits down with Joseph Baydoun, a former Marine turned entrepreneur, to unpack the trials, trauma, and transformation that shaped his life. From combat deployments in Iraq to the silent battles at home—addiction, divorce, suicidal thoughts, and finding purpose through faith and fatherhood—Joseph's journey is a testament to what it means to rise through adversity.Together, they explore:- The emotional toll of military service and the return to civilian life- Joseph's struggle with addiction and his journey toward healing- How faith pulled him back from the brink of suicide- Overcoming a broken marriage and building a stronger foundation- What being a father truly means and how it changed his life- Transitioning from the military to entrepreneurship in roofing- The balance between fitness, discipline, and family values

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6/15/25 Sunday Morning message

 Ever felt like God was silent in your struggle? Discover how your fiercest storms can become the very path Jesus walks on to reach you. Don't miss this powerful word of hope and faith!

Speaker: Pastor Brad GrayTitle: Finding Faith in the Darkness: Habakkuk, Part 5Text: Habakkuk 3:1-19Date: 2025-06-08, Sunday morningFor more information about our church, visit www.stoningtonbaptist.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stoningtonbaptist.substack.com

6/8/25 Sunday Morning message

Finance Councils in parishes are an advisory group of parishioners who can provide the pastor with financial advice and guidance for operating the parish. Kathy McKinless, of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share her experience in the finance field and within dioceses and parishes.Finance councils are required by Canon Law to advise the pastor on financial matters within the parish. Their responsibilities can include budgeting, strategic planning, running financial reports, and maintaining the integrity of internal operations. Kathy also provides practical advice to members of finance councils and to individuals who are interested in joining their parish's finance council. A finance council's collaboration with the parish's pastoral council is integral to smooth operation of the parish as a whole. Related On Mission episodes:Dr. Timoney on Parish Pastoral CouncilsParish Pastoral CouncilsParish Faith FormationParish Evangelization From the Ad Infinitum blog:Finding Faith in a New Parish View Collaboration in Ministry resourcesPurchase the book In Service to the Parish and the Church: A Formation Series for Parish Pastoral CouncilsCheck out the main Saints and Feast Days websiteDownload the App on the App Store or Google Play  Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank's weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

What if the unexpected turns in life weren't detours—but the actual path to everything that matters? In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with financial advisor, husband, father, and author Link Forester to talk about the moments that redefined his life. From becoming a father while still in college, to taking a leap of faith and leaving a stable career, to enduring every parent's worst nightmare—the loss of a child—Link's story is one of resilience grounded in faith, family, and a healthy dose of humor. Link shares how he and his wife Carla navigated early marriage while juggling studies and diapers, how they made it through heartbreak without losing each other, and how they continue to find joy on the other side of tragedy. You'll hear about his book The Side Road, inspired by his son's encouragement, and why he believes that life's most meaningful moments often come when things don't go according to plan. If you're walking through grief, questioning your next step, or simply wondering how to build a life you love—even after the unthinkable—this episode will leave you deeply encouraged. Link's message is simple, powerful, and profoundly true: Relationships matter. Faith matters. And you are never alone in your story. 6 Key Takeaways: Life's biggest challenges—like unexpected parenthood or career shifts—can shape your values and bring clarity to what really matters. Grieving differently is normal in marriage; respecting each other's process is essential to healing together. Faith doesn't erase the pain, but it gives purpose and peace in the middle of it. Taking a leap into the unknown, like switching careers, can unlock joy and alignment with your purpose. Humor, community, and commitment to daily progress can carry you through the darkest seasons. You can survive loss—and even thrive afterward—if you hold tight to your relationships and trust the bigger plan.   LINKS: www.thecompassionateconnection.com www.warriorsunmasked.com    Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Intro and welcome to Link Forester 02:15 – Becoming a father in college and rethinking life 05:45 – How faith grew through early marriage and uncertainty 08:00 – Leaving IBM to pursue financial planning: a leap of faith 10:15 – The tragic loss of their son Tyler 13:00 – What helped Link and Carla survive the darkest season 15:45 – Faith, perspective, and grief: navigating life with eternity in mind 18:30 – Losing a parent and a pet: navigating recent loss 21:00 – Learning to live with grief and honor what you had 23:30 – Why Link believes everything we have is on loan from God 25:00 – The origin story of The Side Road and writing with humor 27:30 – A favorite dog story that still makes Link laugh 30:00 – What life looks like now: family, grandkids, and gratitude 32:00 – The importance of forgiveness and prioritizing relationships 34:00 – Where to find The Side Road and Link's website 35:15 – Encouragement for those grieving: “You will get through this” 37:00 – Final thoughts and a reminder that you're not alone  

Summary:In this episode of The Show Up Dad, host David Mendonca speaks with Joshua Lee Neal about fatherhood, redemption, and the importance of being present for families. Joshua shares his transformative journey from a troubled childhood to finding faith and purpose in his life. The conversation delves into the impact of fatherlessness, the role of humility and repentance, and the significance of trusting God's plan. They discuss the dynamics of marriage, the importance of hearing God's voice, and the power of community support in helping individuals overcome struggles. Joshua emphasizes the need for fathers to be engaged and the profound work God is doing in their lives and communities.

What happens when a 16-year-old is sentenced to life in prison? What if that same person becomes a powerful voice for redemption, hope, and purpose?In this episode, Steve sits down with Lewis Lee, a man whose life journey will challenge everything you think you know about justice, transformation, and the power of God's love.From the streets of West Philadelphia to a life sentence without parole, Lewis' story is one of unimaginable pain, devastating choices, and a divine encounter that changed everything. After nearly 45 years behind bars, Lewis walks us through how prison not only saved his life but gave him a mission: to rescue others.Now the founder of Men of Purpose International, Lewis is helping formerly incarcerated men and women find community, purpose, and lasting change through the power of Jesus Christ.Whether you've been impacted by incarceration or simply want to witness what true restoration looks like—this is a story you need to hear.Topics include:* Growing up in Philly's gang culture* A life-altering crime at age 15* The spiritual awakening that changed everything* Navigating 45 years behind bars with faith and purpose* Founding Men of Purpose International during the pandemic* His powerful message to today's youth and returning citizens

Speaker: Pastor Brad GrayTitle: Finding Faith in the Darkness: Habakkuk, Part 4Text: Habakkuk 2:5-20Date: 2025-06-01, Sunday morningFor more information about our church, visit www.stoningtonbaptist.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stoningtonbaptist.substack.com

Speaker: Pastor Brad GrayTitle: Finding Faith in the Darkness: Habakkuk, Part 3Text: Habakkuk 2:4Date: 2025-05-25, Sunday morningFor more information about our church, visit www.stoningtonbaptist.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stoningtonbaptist.substack.com

Jared Halverson hosts the Unshaken podcast, going verse by verse through the Come Follow Me curriculum. https://www.youtube.com/@Unshaken In his public and private efforts to create unshaken faith in the LDS community, he discusses  two themes ad nauseam: the 3 stages of creation, fall and atonement in lived experience, and the proving of contraries to find the truth, or, to find what is needed in any given situation. The Fall and Atonement are, of course, themselves contraries. Why is Jared so fixated on the idea of opposites? How is he using them to help people? In this episode, I theorize that he is being guided to study the language of the minds of the people God is preparing to receive the restored Gospel, just as he has been in the past. The restored Church of Jesus Christ has already filled North and South America and Europe, and will reach every nation on earth. Is Jared preparing the language of the Saints to bring the gospel to minds trained in taoism and the yin yang?He has served as an Institute teacher. From 1999 to 2005, he taught at the Institute of Religion in Provo, Utah. Later, he held various roles within the Church Educational System, including positions as an instructor and assistant director at the University of Utah Institute of Religion from 2014 to 2022. He also served as the director of the Westminster Institute of Religion between 2018 and 2020 .In addition to his teaching roles, Halverson has been involved in curriculum development and interfaith dialogue. He has also contributed to various publications and has been a featured speaker in both devotional and academic settings. Currently, he is an associate professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University.His landmark devotional on the utility of opposites in discipleship (or contraries) is called “Seeking Truth Devotional Featuring Jared Halverson” and was posted on the Highland Utah East Stake YouTube Channel on January 9, 2022. It currently has 230K views. The title of his talk was “Finding Faith in an Age of Doubt.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY9_bN7EFOc&t=6sI made a commentary on that fireside:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u16ruPNRRUA&t=1sGet affordable, continuous help for those chronic pain points in your key relationships here: https://bit.ly/monthlyrelationshipcoachingExtend our reach✔️ PayPal: https://paypal.me/eekbin?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US✔️ Venmo: @justinmbirdThe Relationship textbook

Full episode on The Zambezi Belle Podcast. Season 1, episode 005

In this episode Charbel sits down with author Joseph Pearce to discuss his journey from agnostic to Catholic through the literary works of authors such as J.R Tolkein, C.S Lewis, G.K Chesterton and Shakespeare. He is an internationally acclaimed bestselling author, speaker, teacher, esteemed biographer and scholar of great books from the classical to the modern. Links from episode: Joseph's website: jpearce.co Hartford College website: hartfordcollege.nsw.edu.au Joseph Pearce Books at Parousia: Tolkien Man and Myth https://store.parousiamedia.com/tolkien-man-and-myth-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce Classic Literature Made Simple https://store.parousiamedia.com/classic-literature-made-simple-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce The Good The Bad and The Beautiful: History in Three Dimensions https://store.parousiamedia.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-beautiful-history-in-three-dimensions-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce Faith of our Fathers: A History of True England https://store.parousiamedia.com/faith-of-our-fathers-a-history-of-true-england-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce Twelve Great Books: Going Deeper into Classic Literature https://store.parousiamedia.com/twelve-great-books-going-deeper-into-classic-literature-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce Catholic Literary Giants https://store.parousiamedia.com/catholic-literary-giants-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearceL International purchases: https://jpearce.co/books/ Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/ Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute.

In today's very exciting episode, we sit down with Shane & Shane, a Christian contemporary music duo, to hear their testimonies of how they came to faith, despite not being raised in Christian homes or growing up as Christians. They also tell us about how they started making worship music together, starting with simply singing the Psalms. We also talk about the power of worship music and its ability to bring us from despair into the joy of the Lord. And Shane & Shane treat us to a brief worship session and devotional, so be sure to stick around until the very end! Text DEVO to 682-318-3835 to receive the Worship Initiative devotional every day! Share the Arrows 2025 is on October 11 in Dallas, Texas! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sharethearrows.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for tickets now! Buy Allie's new book, "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion": ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/4COtBxy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Timecodes: (01:09) Shane & Shane introduction (08:42) Testimonies  (16:29) Starting making worship music (25:57) Leading Godly families (29:18) Worship Initiative (37:28) Worship and devotional --- Today's Sponsors: We Heart Nutrition — Get 20% off women's vitamins with We Heart Nutrition, and get your first bottle of their new supplement, Wholesome Balance; use code ALLIE at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.WeHeartNutrition.com⁠⁠⁠. Shopify — Shopify is the commerse platform behind millions of businesses around the world. Get started with your own design studio to turn your big business idea into profit. Go to shopify.com/allie to sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling with Shopify today! CrowdHealth — get your first 3 months for just $99/month. Use promo code 'ALLIE' when you sign up at JoinCrowdHealth.com. --- Related Episodes: Ep 149 | Worship Music https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-149-worship-music/id1359249098?i=1000446698428 Ep 1083 | Maverick City Music: Christlike or Compromised? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1083-maverick-city-music-christlike-or-compromised/id1359249098?i=1000673212591 --- Buy Allie's book, You're Not Enough (& That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alliebethstuckey.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Relatable merchandise – use promo code 'ALLIE10' for a discount: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am thrilled to introduce you to my friend, Laurie Curtis. We discuss the theme of God's faithfulness amidst life's turbulence. Listen in as we explore the importance of having a strong foundation in scripture, the role of humility in navigating trials, and the significance of choosing a path that may be difficult but ultimately leads to deeper faith. The conversation also touches on the impact of grief and suffering, the beauty of ordinary moments, and the profound love of Christ that compels us to follow Him. Please like, review and share this episode so more can have the healing and hope that comes from Jesus!

In this episode of Pastoral Thoughts Podcast, we sit down with Evangelist Dr. Tom Stiles from Arise Ministries to unpack two major topics: President Trump's first 100 days as the 47th President and the newly passed 2025-2026 New York State budget. From mass deportations and federal budget cuts to housing initiatives and mental health funding in New York, we explore what these changes mean for Christians. How can we trust God's sovereignty and respond with faith in these uncertain times? Dr. Stiles shares biblical wisdom, practical insights, and a call to action for believers.    What We Cover:  Trump's first 100 days: Tariffs, deportations, and government efficiency—how should Christians respond?  New York State budget: Education, housing, and public safety—what's the church's role?  Arise Ministries' mission: How Dr. Stiles is equipping believers to shine as salt and light. Key Scripture: Romans 13:1—“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”   Learn More About Arise Ministries:Visit Dr. Tom Stiles' ministry at https://ariseministries.org to support their work in evangelism and discipleship.  If this episode encourages you, give us a thumbs up, subscribe for more faith-filled content, and share with a friend. What are your thoughts on Trump's policies or New York's budget? Drop a comment below—we'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Positive Recovery MD, host Jamie Demeris sits down with Greg Walker, a husband, father, entrepreneur, and recovery advocate, who shares his extraordinary journey from addiction to freedom. With refreshing honesty, Greg opens up about the power of vulnerability, the strength found in community, and the peace he discovered through his relationship with God. Greg's story is one of second chances and spiritual transformation. From running a successful business to quietly battling a 21-year addiction to opiates and heroin, Greg sheds the layers of shame and isolation that once kept him trapped. What finally changed everything? A commitment to authenticity, a newfound faith, and a desire to walk alongside other men through their own healing. Whether you're navigating recovery yourself or supporting someone you love, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that healing is possible, peace is within reach, and you are never alone. Vulnerability isn't weakness; it's the key to building a life where you can truly flourish. Topics Discussed: Why vulnerability is the foundation for true connection and lasting recovery The myth of perfection—and how showing up messy is often the bravest step The spiritual turning point that reshaped Greg's life, marriage, and mission How relapse, setbacks, and shame don't have to define your story The problem with isolation: Why our secrets keep us sick  Defining meaning and purpose in your life that's greater than you — CHAPTERS:  00:00 Introduction to Positive Recovery MD 01:22 Meet Greg Walker: A Journey of Vulnerability 02:08 The Power of Vulnerability in Recovery 03:27 Greg's Personal Struggles and Triumphs 09:20 Finding Faith and Community 11:21 Overcoming Challenges and Helping Others 19:59 Greg's Mission and Current Endeavors 21:22 A Betrayal and a Test of Faith 22:02 Finding Peace Amidst Financial Struggles 22:16 Passion for Recovery and Helping Others 22:48 The Power of Vulnerability and Accountability 24:51 The Role of Community in Recovery 27:23 Gratitude and Its Impact on Wellbeing 29:29 Manifestation and Faith 31:39 The Journey of Recovery and Mentorship 35:15 Concluding Thoughts and Final Messages   --- Connect with PRC on Social: IG: https://www.instagram.com/positiverecoverycenters  FB: https://www.facebook.com/PositiveRecoveryCenters  TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@positiverecoverycenter  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positiverecoverycenters  YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcDF1gjlYch4V4iBbCgZg   Want even more expert insights and support on the recovery journey? Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, mental health tips, and community updates—straight to your inbox!

An Evensong meditation by the Rev. Canon George Maxwell on the Second Sunday of Easter (April 27, 2025) at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta

West Michigan author and preacher Jeff Chu took the long way to the seminary. And once he got there, faith led him farther than he expected back out into the world. It all started with a compost pile on the seminary farm. On this episode, we’ll talk to Chu about his new memoir–titled Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand–which details his journey into community, stewardship, and love of the land. GUEST: Jeff Chu, journalist, preacher and author of Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz's story is one of resilience, rediscovery, and grace—and we're honored to share it with you today. She begins by telling us she was born in Arizona, but her early years were shaped by her father's role as a traveling evangelist. As she grew older, Liz came to see how much of her father's passion for ministry was inspired by the Jesus Revolution. Life on the road wasn't easy. Liz speaks candidly about the challenges of growing up in a family constantly on the move. For a time, they even lived in a bus—a reality that left her feeling embarrassed and isolated, especially at school. Even after the traveling stopped, her family continued to relocate frequently throughout the Valley. They rarely stayed in the same church or school for more than a year, and this instability began to distort Liz's understanding of what community—especially Christian community—could be. Much of the faith she encountered in those years felt lonely, restrictive, and at times, judgmental. Liz found herself longing for independence, counting down the days until she turned 18 so she could create a life of her own. That journey began when she enrolled at Phoenix College, where she met her husband, Buddy. Their early years together were sweet, and before long, they were welcoming a baby boy—and shortly after, a baby girl—into the world. With motherhood came a shift in Liz's heart. She felt a deep desire to raise her children with an understanding of who God is. Though Buddy wasn't actively pursuing faith at the time, he fully supported Liz's efforts to introduce their kids to Jesus. This marked the beginning of a slow but meaningful return to God. As the kids started attending a Christian school, a fellow parent invited Liz to visit Desert Springs. She calls it a “visit” that lasted four years—coming regularly but still holding back. And then, something began to change. Liz started to take real steps into community, into faith, and into relationship with God again. Today, Liz speaks with honesty and humility about her journey—about the ways God has reshaped her heart and mind over time. Her story reminds us that faith is often a winding road, but one full of hope, healing, and transformation. We're so grateful Liz chose to share that road with us.Pastor Steve's January 2025 sermon on deconstructionBuddy's (Liz's husband!) testimony videoWant to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.comWould you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!

NBC Sports' Mike Tirico gets a tour of 30 Rockefeller Center and NBC Studios as he fills in for Craig as co-anchor for the week. Also, Glamour editor-in-chief Sam Barry shares a guide to denim and how to pick the best styles to complement your body type. Plus, a closer look at the powerful legacy of the Pontifical Sacred Music Institute and the lasting influence of its music a century later. And, chef Mario Carbone shares a delicious chicken Vesuvio recipe.

SUMMARY:In this heartfelt conversation, Kimberly interviews mother-daughter duo Suzy Hopkins & Hallie Bateman, co-authors of 'What to Do When You Get Dumped.' They discuss the inspiration behind their book, which addresses the emotional turmoil of heartbreak and the journey of healing. Suzy shares her personal experience of being unexpectedly left by her husband after 30 years of marriage, while Halle reflects on her own experiences with heartbreak. The conversation delves into the importance of allowing oneself to grieve, the power of illustrations in storytelling, and the significance of finding faith and understanding in the healing process. In this conversation, Hallie and her mother Suzy discuss the themes of healing, personal growth, and the importance of sharing one's story. They explore the purpose behind Hallie's book, which aims to provide encouragement and guidance for those navigating heartbreak. The discussion delves into the universal themes found in personal experiences, the journey of self-love, and the significance of support from unexpected sources. They also touch on generational perspectives on mental health and the importance of authenticity in relationships.EPSIODE SPONSORS: MOMENTOUS OFFER: Head to livemomentous.com and use code KIMBERLY for 35% off your first subscription. That's code KIMBERLY at livemomentous.com for 35% off your first subscription.USE LINK: livemomentous.com Code: KIMBERLY for 35% off your first subscription. FATTY15OFFER: Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/KIMBERLY and using code KIMBERLY at checkout.USE LINK: fatty15.com/KIMBERLYChapters00:00 Introduction to Heartbreak and Healing03:00 The Genesis of the Book05:53 Navigating Emotions After Heartbreak08:57 The Dumpy Bill of Rights11:57 The Power of Words and Illustrations15:03 Physical Practices for Healing18:02 Finding Faith and Understanding20:59 Reflections on Family Dynamics and Relationships29:31 The Purpose Behind the Book31:00 Universal Themes in Personal Stories33:05 The Journey of Healing and Growth36:19 Finding Wholeness After Heartbreak40:31 Self-Love and Personal Values43:30 Generational Perspectives on Mental Health46:59 Unexpected Support in Difficult Times49:32 Navigating Relationships and Emotions51:19 The Power of Connection and AuthenticitySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

http://bit.ly/3GYu36VSmithsonian Magazine, January 2023, By Chanan TigayThe discussion highlights the groundbreaking work of Mike Langlois, a scholar with an impressive range of expertise, including seven degrees and a deep focus on the Dead Sea Scrolls. His work involves using high-tech methods, such as sophisticated scanning and analysis techniques, to uncover forgeries in ancient religious texts. This process helps separate authentic writings from fraudulent ones, allowing for a clearer historical understanding.Langlois, alongside experts like Dr. Kip Davis, is advancing our knowledge by using modern technologies to scrutinize ancient documents that were once considered gospel truth. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in caves decades ago, have been central to the study of biblical history, but the ability to verify their authenticity has only recently become possible thanks to these innovations.The team's work is crucial because it addresses the core issue of determining which documents are authentic and which are fabricated. The impact of these findings is felt not only in the realm of biblical studies but in other historical disciplines as well.A key aspect of the conversation is the ethical consideration surrounding these forgeries. If forgeries are not identified, they can skew historical data and influence the way cultures, faiths, and mythologies are understood. For believers, especially, the discovery of falsehoods within these documents can be a challenge. Some may resist accepting this new information because it conflicts with deeply held beliefs, but the goal of scholars like Langlois is to uncover the truth, regardless of personal belief systems.The technological advancements being used in this research represent a significant leap forward. While the methods are still evolving, the impact is already profound, offering an objective way to distinguish between authentic and fraudulent texts. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for critical scholarship in religious and historical studies.In conclusion, the exciting work of scholars like Langlois is opening doors for a more accurate understanding of ancient texts. Their efforts help bring clarity to the complex intersection of faith, history, and evidence, and they challenge us all to think critically about the information we encounter.The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.02 airing Sunday, 01-15-2023 featuring Secular Rarity,  Richard Firth-Godbehere and Helen Greene.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-non-prophets--3254964/support.