Raising Fatherless Kids

When Andrea Jo Fountain was ten years old, she watched her dad drive away, leaving her with questions and pain that went unspoken for decades. Years later, after experiencing the loss of one marriage through divorce and then the profound loss of her second husband through sudden death, Andrea Jo discovered God's faithfulness in ways she never imagined. In this hope-filled conversation, Andrea...

What does it mean to trust God when you don’t understand what He is doing? Trusting God is more than believing He will give us the outcome we want. It means confidently relying on who God is and what He has said, even when we cannot see or understand what He is doing. In this episode of Raising Fatherless Kids , Lori shares how God has taught her to trust Him through uncertainty, loss, and seasons...

Boundaries can feel confusing, painful, or even threatening, especially after loss. For widows and single moms, it may seem as though all protection has been stripped away. But Scripture tells a different story. In this episode, we look at God’s promise to set and guard the boundary stones of the widow. Long before boundaries became a modern conversation, God established Himself as the protector a...

Grief can leave us feeling overwhelmed, alone, and unsure of how to move forward. While God does not always remove the pain of loss, He promises to meet us in it. In this episode, Lori talks with bestselling author Lisa Appelo about experiencing God as the God of comfort and learning to trust His character through grief. Lisa shares how daily time in God’s Word helped her walk through the sudden l...

Grief is a natural response to loss, and there is no timetable for how long it should last. But over time, the reminders of loss can either help us remember with gratitude or keep us anchored to the pain. This episode explores how to recognize “trophies of grief” and prayerfully replace them with “trophies of grace”—reminders that put God's faithfulness on display. Key Takeaways: How to recogn...

During Suicide Awareness Week, we are having an honest conversation about one of the most difficult kinds of loss. Drawing from personal experience after the death of her husband by suicide, Lori shares biblical hope for those grieving the loss of a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or friend. In this episode, you'll hear practical guidance for helping children process suicide loss, learn how to...

As moms, we want to protect, guide, and help our children, but at times, the greatest thing we can do is bring them before the Lord in prayer. In this episode, we look at Abraham's powerful example of intercession in Genesis 18 and discover how God prepares us to pray for others through our own journey of faith. Learn what it means to stand before God on behalf of your children, trust His char...

When Colleen Nunn was two years old, her father went missing in action during the Vietnam War. For 13 years, her family lived with the hope that he might return home. Although she grew up without memories of her dad, God faithfully placed people in her life who showed her His love and pointed her to Him. In this episode, Colleen shares how her mother’s faith, her grandmother’s godly example, and t...

Amy Vliet grew up in Japan as one of 15 children adopted by missionary Betty Vliet, founder of Ebenezer Children’s Home. Although Amy never knew her biological father, her mother taught her from an early age that she had been handpicked by God and could know Him as her Heavenly Father. Amy shares how that foundation carried her through the questions of growing up without a dad and, years later, th...

What happens when a twelve-year-old girl loses her father just days before her thirteenth birthday? In this heartfelt conversation, Lori welcomes Absent Dad, Present Father contributor Susan Richcreek to share how the loss of her father shaped her life and how God faithfully stepped into the role He promises in Psalm 68:5 as Father to the fatherless. Susan shares what it was like to lose her fathe...

What happens when a father leaves? How does that absence shape a young man's heart, and how does God redeem the pain? In this powerful conversation, Lori Apon welcomes author, speaker, and founder of You Can Mentor, Zach Garza, to share his story of growing up after his father left when he was in middle school. Zach speaks honestly about the anger, fear, and deep longing for attention, affirma...

What happens when your father is alive but absent? In this heartfelt conversation, Lori Apon welcomes Kayla Norman , one of the contributors to Absent Dad, Present Father , to share her powerful story of growing up with an inconsistent father because of addiction. Together, they discuss the disappointment of broken promises, the lifelong gift of a mother who refused to speak negatively about her c...

In this conversation, Lori is joined by her son, Evan Apon, to discuss anger among boys growing up without a father. What can feel like sudden outbursts or emotional shutdown is often something deeper—unexpressed grief, frustration, or questions of identity. Together, they offer perspective from both a mother and son, helping you better understand what may be happening beneath the surface. You wil...

Every child will eventually encounter influences competing for their heart and mind. Friends, teachers, coaches, social media, music, podcasts, and culture all have influence, but only one voice will always lead them in truth. In this episode, discover practical ways to help your children develop discernment, recognize the voice of God, and build a foundation that will guide them long after they l...

Many boys and young men carry an unspoken question in their hearts: Do I have what it takes? As mothers, we often express love well, but we may not realize how deeply our sons need to know that we believe in them. In this episode, we explore the powerful role a mother's words play in shaping her son's identity, confidence, resilience, and understanding of his God-given purpose. Whether you...

What happens when the future you planned disappears in a single moment? In this powerful episode, Ginger Ravella shares the heartbreaking story of losing her husband, Air Force fighter pilot Troy Gilbert, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Left to raise five children under the age of eight—including six-month-old twin daughters—Ginger found herself facing overwhelming grief, unanswered questions, and...

What happens when the future you planned disappears in a single moment? In this powerful episode, Ginger Ravella shares the heartbreaking story of losing her husband, Air Force fighter pilot Troy Gilbert, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Left to raise five children under the age of eight—including six-month-old twin daughters—Ginger found herself facing overwhelming grief, unanswered questions, and...

Father’s Day may be behind us, but many mothers are still carrying fears about the future of their children. Will the painful patterns of the past repeat themselves? Are children with absent fathers destined to follow the same destructive paths? In this episode, we look to Ezekiel 18 and discover the powerful truth that even though generational sin patterns may be real, they are not binding chains...

As Father’s Day approaches, this episode offers encouragement for mothers raising children without an earthly dad. It speaks to the tension children often feel between the absence of dad and the presence of God as Father. Moms are reminded that acknowledging grief is important, but so is gently redirecting children toward the truth of God’s faithful presence. Through practical encouragement, perso...

In this tender episode, the difficult phrase “I have lost my joy” is explored with compassion and biblical hope. There are seasons where something feels different, heavier, and emotionally distant. Grief, exhaustion, disappointment, loneliness, overwhelming circumstances, spiritual battles, and even physical struggles can leave someone feeling as though joy has disappeared completely. This episode...

On this episode of Raising Fatherless Kids , Lori welcomes Mark Vroegop, president of The Gospel Coalition and author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, and Waiting Isn’t a Waste . Together, they have a meaningful conversation about grief, suffering, and the biblical practice of lament. After walking through the heartbreaking loss of a stillborn daughter, Mark began to study what Scripture teaches about...

In this honest conversation, Lori welcomes pastor, husband, father, and Absent Dad, Present Father contributor Kyle Ogle to share his powerful testimony of growing up without a father and the lasting impact of rejection. Kyle opens up about meeting his biological father as a young teen, only to later experience heartbreaking abandonment that shaped many of his struggles with insecurity, identity,...

In this honest conversation, Lori welcomes pastor, husband, father, and Absent Dad, Present Father contributor Kyle Ogle to share his powerful testimony of growing up without a father and the lasting impact of rejection. Kyle opens up about meeting his biological father as a young teen, only to later experience heartbreaking abandonment that shaped many of his struggles with insecurity, identity,...

 Summer can feel overwhelming, especially when you are carrying the full weight of parenting alone. In this episode, we talk about how to move from simply surviving the summer to intentionally savoring it. With changing routines, increased demands, and the emotions that can surface in this season, preparation and perspective matter. This conversation offers encouragement to create a peaceful rhyth...

What can we learn from the mothers throughout Scripture who trusted God in difficult seasons? How does the faith of a mother shape the lives of her children, even in circumstances filled with uncertainty, grief, or hardship? In this episode, we walk through the stories of mothers in the Bible and explore the lasting impact of their faith, prayers, and perseverance. From Hannah’s heartfelt prayers...