Hope Talks

What makes a great leader … and what causes even good ones to stumble? Dr. Eric Scalise, president of Hope for the Heart, joins us again on Hope Talks. Drawing on decades of leadership experience across ministry, academia, and organizational life, Dr. Scalise shares key insights into the heart of healthy and unhealthy leadership. Together, we explore three common challenges every leader faces: ins...

In this episode, Dr. Michael Guillen – former Harvard physics instructor and Emmy award–winning ABC News science editor – shares his remarkable journey from atheism to faith in Christ.  Drawing from his book Believing Is Seeing, Dr. Guillen shares his hope story of walking through infertility with his wife, encountering God in the midst of exhaustion, and being led to adoption. We also talk about...

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Earley — business lawyer, speaker, podcaster, and author of numerous books on habits and spiritual disciplines.  Justin shares his journey of walking through a season of anxiety and burnout and how God used it to reshape his view of life and faith. We dive into his new book, The Body Teaches the Soul: Ten Essential Habits to Form a Healthy and Holy Life, ex...

The world tells us to fight aging, hide it, or fear it … but God’s Word offers a better way. In this episode, Haley and Dustin talk about aging well: what the Bible says about growing older, the blessings and challenges of aging, and the markers of true maturity.  They also share some practical questions to think through as you consider your next season of life, and discuss the truth of Isaiah 46:...

In this episode, Haley and Dustin are joined by Shayne and Sheila Pitcock, a husband-and-wife Christian life coaching team and founders of Journey 2 Unity, a coaching practice specializing in individual and marital growth. Their story is one of pain, perseverance, and ultimately, God’s healing restoration. Sheila shares how she came to know the Lord after growing up in a rules-based, legalistic en...

In this episode, Haley and Dustin sit down with Pastor Ryan Walling of Bayshore Baptist Church in La Porte, Texas. Ryan shares how he came to know the Lord as a child and sensed God’s call into ministry, but much of our conversation centers around a deeply personal journey—walking through infertility, adoption, and parenting. Ryan and his wife, Jessica, wrestled with years of infertility before de...

“Do not worry” (Matthew 6:25). Worry is so familiar that we often treat it as inevitable – yet Jesus gives us a direct command not to. His words aren’t a cold prohibition but a gracious invitation to trust the Father’s love and care for us. In this episode, Haley and Dustin dive into Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 to unpack the difference between worry and healthy concern. Along the way, they share...

In this special extended episode, Haley and Dustin sit down with former Secret Service Agent Darin Kinder, who was just 100 yards away when the planes struck the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001. In this powerful conversation, Darin walks us through that tragic day — what he saw, what he felt, and how God sustained him through the chaos. Along the way, we unpack how his experience s...

In this episode, we unpack the messy dynamics of codependency – what it is, how it shows up in all kinds of relationships, and how we can fall into unhealthy relationship patterns without realizing it. We look at codependent relationships from both sides: the person who struggles with being overly needy and dependent, and the one who feels the urge to step in, rescue, or be needed. We talk through...

In this replay episode, Haley and Dustin sit down with Chrystal Evans Hurst – author, speaker, coach, and encourager – to hear her story of finding hope in every season of life. From navigating single motherhood and uncertain career paths to stepping unexpectedly into writing, speaking, and ministry, Chrystal shares how God has continually stitched together the puzzle pieces of her life. She discu...

Abandoned at birth and raised in Romanian orphanages, Lucian Mastata knows the pain of rejection, neglect, and loneliness. In this heartfelt conversation, Lucian shares how a chance visit to a Christmas carol service as a teenager introduced him to the hope of Jesus and changed everything.  As he continued to return to church, he discovered that God was not a distant figure but a loving Father who...

Verbal and emotional abuse is often invisible and hard to detect, but its effects run deep. In this episode, Haley and Dustin discuss the impact and power of our words, and how abuse can shape our sense of worth, identity, and dignity. They explore what verbal and emotional abuse is — and what it isn’t — and discuss the types of verbal abuse found in Scripture as well as the subtle and not-so-subt...

Heather MacFadyen, host of the widely loved Don’t Mom Alone podcast and the author of two books (Don’t Mom Alone and Right Where You Belong) joins us for an encouraging conversation on motherhood, grief, humility, and grace. She shares her hope story of when God’s promises became precious to her when both her parents were battling cancer, her father passed away, and she was caring for her mother w...

Singleness often carries silent struggles—shame, embarrassment, loneliness, and questions about identity or purpose. In this episode, Haley opens up about her own journey of navigating singleness throughout different seasons of her life. We discuss how culture and even the church can sometimes elevate marriage as the ultimate goal in life, but God calls each of us—single or married—to something gr...

In this episode, Haley and Dustin have a thoughtful and compassionate look at depression — what it is, what it isn’t, and how we can understand it from both a biblical and whole-person perspective. They explore how people often describe depression, why it’s more than just sadness, and how the Bible speaks directly to those who feel overwhelmed, numb, or hopeless. The conversation offers practical...

Are you running on empty? In this episode, Haley and Dustin sit down with Dr. Eric Scalise, President of Hope for the Heart, to talk about one of the most pressing issues in our fast-paced culture: stress and burnout. With more than 40 years of experience as a licensed counselor, Dr. Scalise brings both clinical insight and biblical wisdom to this important conversation. We unpack the difference b...

Don’t put off listening to this episode! Procrastination is often seen as humorous or harmless, but it can quietly impact our lives in significant ways. We all do it—whether it’s delaying a project, avoiding a hard conversation, or putting off something we know God is calling us to do. But procrastination isn’t just about laziness. In this episode, Haley and Dustin dig into what’s really going on...

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” (Psalm 77:11) In this episode, Haley and Dustin explore the vital (and often overlooked) spiritual practice of remembering our past and spiritual heritage.  From God’s mighty works to the faith of those who came before us, biblical remembrance is more than nostalgia—it’s a discipline that fuels present-day fai...

In this episode, Haley and Dustin are joined by Kari Trent Stageberg, CEO of Strong Families and co-author of The Blessing, alongside her father, Dr. John Trent. Kari shares her powerful hope story of finding healing and restoration after leaving an abusive relationship – and how the love of God and His Word brought her through a journey of renewal and recovery. Together, they explore the importan...

In this episode, Haley and Dustin are joined by Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C., and bestselling author of numerous books, including A Million Little Miracles. Mark shares his personal hope story of being miraculously healed from lifelong asthma – an incredible testimony of God’s power and grace. They dive into the core themes of A Million Little Miracles, e...

In this episode, Haley and Dustin are joined by Major General Bob Dees, retired U.S. Army General and President of the National Center for Healthy Veterans. General Dees shares his powerful hope story of walking through the heartbreaking loss of his child and how he and his wife found comfort and healing through the love and support of the body of Christ. Together, they explore the critical life s...

It’s our one-year episode! Thank you, everyone, for listening and for your support! In this special episode of Hope Talks, Haley and Dustin reflect on a full year of meaningful conversations – and dive into one of the most important ones yet: how to find rest in the Lord. Psalm 116:7 says, “Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” Haley and Dustin unpack what it means to b...

In this episode, Haley and Dustin sit down with Mark Matlock—author, ministry leader, and researcher with the Barna Group—for a thoughtful conversation about wisdom, spiritual formation, and reaching the next generation. Mark shares insights from his book Faith for the Curious and how his research reveals that many people, especially younger generations, are more open to spiritual conversations th...

In this episode, Haley and Dustin are joined by Sheila Walsh, co-host of Praise and Better Together on TBN. Sheila shares her inspiring story of how the Lord pursued her and gave her hope in the midst of severe depression while in ministry. Together, they discuss the power of God’s presence and grace, how the Lord meets us in our pain and brokenness, and gives us grace to break down the walls we b...

In this episode, Haley and Dustin talk with Jennie Allen, founder of IF: Gathering and New York Times bestselling author of Untangle Your Emotions, Get Out of Your Head, and the upcoming children’s book What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts.   For her hope story, Jennie shares why she’s more hopeful than ever about reaching the next generation with the gospel, including the powerful ministr...