Forward Podcast

Disagreements are inevitable, but damaged relationships don’t have to be. In this episode, we talk about practical, biblical ways to navigate conflict, communicate with grace, and protect the relationship even when you don’t see eye to eye.

In Part 2 of our “Think About It” series, we get practical about protecting your attention and taking care of the brain God gave you. From multitasking and constant distractions to sleep, exercise, and healthy rhythms, we look at simple changes that can help you focus better, learn better, and think more clearly.

Are we forgetting how to think? In Part 1 of this three-part series, we introduce the challenges of learning and thinking in a world filled with constant information, distractions, technology, and AI. We talk about what all of this is doing to our attention, our minds, and even our spiritual lives—and why learning how to focus and think deeply may be more important than ever.

A consistent prayer life doesn’t have to be complicated. In this episode, we share practical ways to make prayer a natural part of everyday life—from praying immediately when a need comes to mind, to meditating on Scripture, to establishing a consistent time and place to meet with God. Simple habits can lead to a deeper, more consistent walk with Him.

In Part 2, we focus on breaking free from the need for everyone’s approval. We talk about handling criticism, knowing whose opinions really matter, and finding the confidence to live for God instead of constantly worrying about what others think.

It’s easy to overthink a comment, a look, a text, or someone’s opinion. In this episode, we talk about how to stop taking everything personally, give people grace, handle criticism, and learn when to simply let things go.

Confrontation is never easy, but the Bible gives us a clear way to handle it. In this episode, we discuss preparing your own heart, speaking the truth in love, and keeping restoration...not winning—the ultimate goal.

As a new school year begins, it's easy for families to get caught up in busy schedules, activities, and endless distractions. In this episode, Thomas and Kari share five simple, biblical rhythms that can help protect your family's heart and keep Christ at the center of everyday life. From meaningful morning moments to intentional evening conversations, you'll discover practical habits that don't a...

Leadership doesn't begin with a position, it begins with the heart. In this special solo episode, Pastor Thomas Shepherd shares practical, biblical principles on developing the kind of heart God can use. Discover how character builds credibility, integrity earns trust, and passion fuels lasting ministry. Whether you're leading a family, a business, a church, or simply seeking to influence others f...

Today Thomas and Kari are talking about building strong friendships inside the church while staying open to people outside it. We’re calling it ‘Inside Friends, Outside Impact.’ Come learn the inside scoop of friendship and why the topic can be divisive in today's culture.

Tension in the Home — Every family experiences seasons of stress, misunderstandings, and conflict. In this episode, we discuss how to navigate tension God’s way by working as a team instead of opponents, remembering that not every disagreement is a major crisis, trusting the Lord through difficult moments, and making follow-up conversations a priority. Healthy homes aren’t built by avoiding confli...

Summer is meant to refresh us, but for many people it becomes the busiest and most exhausting season of the year. In this episode, we talk about recognizing the signs of burnout, setting healthy boundaries, protecting your spiritual life, and finding true rest in Christ so you can finish the summer stronger than you started.

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, how should Christians think about patriotism in an increasingly divided culture? In this episode, Thomas and Kari discuss the balance between loving our country and maintaining ultimate allegiance to Christ. Join us as we explore how believers can guard against idolatry, live as citizens of heaven, and faithfully steward the freedoms God has given u...

In this episode of the Forward Podcast, Kari discusses the unrealistic expectations many women carry every day. From feeling like you have to do it all, to the pressure of comparison, appearance, motherhood, and keeping everyone happy, women often live under burdens God never intended them to bear.   Join us as we talk about finding freedom from unrealistic expectations, embracing God’s grace, and...

Every family faces pressure to be perfect. Perfect memories. Perfect kids. Perfect schedules. Perfect social media posts. In this episode, we discuss four unrealistic expectations that can rob families of joy: believing every moment should be magical, thinking good parents never struggle, comparing ourselves online, and equating busyness with success. The truth is that healthy families aren’t perf...

Join us for this re-run episode as we explore gender roles in families and marriage. We'll dive into what biblical gender roles are and how we can support one another in understanding and embracing these roles in a healthy and meaningful way.

(Rerun) In this episode of our podcast, Thomas and Kari Shepherd, a husband-and-wife team, dive deep into the topic of overcoming toxic negativity. They explore how a negative mindset can infiltrate our lives, relationships, and workspaces, leading to a spiral of discouragement and despair. Together, we share practical steps and biblical wisdom to combat negativity, reclaim joy, and foster a posit...

This week on the Forward Podcast, Pastor Thomas tackles a subject many men silently wrestle with every day, unrealistic expectations. Modern men are carrying enormous pressure. Be successful. Be strong. Be spiritual. Be emotionally stable. Lead your family perfectly. Never struggle. Never slow down. Never fail. But what happens when the expectations we place on ourselves... or the ones culture pla...

Graduation is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Forward Podcast, Thomas and Kari talk about the “next steps” every graduating senior should think about as they enter a new season of life. From faith and friendships to purpose, pressure, and staying grounded in a changing world, this conversation is full of practical encouragement for graduates and those investing i...

Thomas and Kari sit down for one of their deepest conversations yet as they discuss the phrase, “Mother Knows Best.” In a culture that constantly redefines motherhood, they explore what Scripture says about the spiritual influence, wisdom, burden, and responsibility of a godly mother. This episode dives into the unseen emotional weight moms carry, the spiritual atmosphere they create in the home,...

This week we’re talking about a painful but important topic: how to move forward when a leader you respected falls morally or ethically. We’ll walk through practical ways to process the hurt, grieve well, and keep moving ahead.  

What happens when you step away from the noise? In this episode, we share what we learned from taking a full week off social media—and the results were deeper than we expected. What started as a simple break quickly revealed how much of a hold it can have on our time, attention, and even our hearts. Without the constant scroll, we found more clarity, more presence, and more time with the Lord. Pra...

Have you made decisions that pulled you away from Christ? You’re not alone. Welcome to The Forward Podcast. Today we’re talking about Walking Back to Christ After Bad Decisions. No matter how far you’ve gone, Jesus is ready to welcome you home. In this episode, we’ll walk through practical steps to return to Him with grace and hope. Let’s dive in.

What do you do when life feels off? In this episode, Thomas and Kari tackle real, honest questions that many people are quietly asking: • “I’ve lost my job—where do I even begin to see what God is doing?” • “I feel distant in my marriage… what if I don’t even feel motivated to fix it?” • “I want to serve in church, but it seems like there’s no place for me.” • “My schedule keeps me from church—how...

Marriage doesn’t usually fall apart overnight, it drifts over time. In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to fight for your marriage in the middle—when life is busy, routines are set, and it’s easy to coast. We open up about two areas that have made a real difference in our own marriage: intentionality and focus.