Connections with Mike Thom and Colleen Houde

Like many Canadian boys, Brady Leavold had a dream of becoming a pro hockey player. Instead, a combination of childhood trauma and an inability to cope, led Brady down a path of destruction.   Now in recovery, Brady hopes that by sharing his story, he can help others.  Today on Connections, Brady shares his story and the importance of shining a light on mental health in the hockey world.  See omny...

Kelly Farley knows all too well what it feels like to lose a child. After a series of fertility treatments, Kelly and his wife became pregnant with their first child, Katie. That excitement quickly turned to sorrow when they lost Katie in the fall of 2004. About a year later, they decided that they would try to conceive again. This time it was a little boy and they felt blessed that little Noah wa...

Shantel Dudley wears many hats. She is a wife, mother to 17 children and grandmother to eight grandchildren.   Shantel has a heart for the broken and hurting after experiencing abuse in her own life.  Shantel, together with her husband have spent the past several years adopting children with medical needs. Through that time they have also experienced the loss of four children. Today on Connections...

Are you addicted to your phone? Do you find yourself engaging online but unengaged at home with the people right in front of you? Wendy Speake, wife, mom, host of the annual 40 Day Sugar Fast, and co-author of a number of parenting books has released a new devotional, The 40-Day Social Media Fast. This "screen sabbatical" is designed to help you become fully conscious of your dependence on social...

As we continue to face changes due to the pandemic, many people are suffering from anxiety, fear, and mental health issues. Jon Seidl hopes that by being brutally honest about his battles with anxiety and OCD, that he can help others who are struggling and fix the rampant stigma surrounding mental health challenges. Today on Connections, Jon shares ways to cope with anxiety. He also shares how we...

Dr. Heather Macumber, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Providence University College recently released a new book, Recovering the Monstrous in Revelation. This 212-page book gives readers a look into Monster Theory, specifically exploring the book of Revelation with all its apocalyptic creatures. Explaining that Monster Theory can be used as an academic tool, Macumber cites Jeffrey Jerom...

The past couple of years have been difficult for many as we deal with the ongoing pandemic.   And although it can be difficult to seek out the goodness in the world, Alexandra Kuykendall reminds us that everything is going to be okay, that God is still at work, even in small ways. She says he is still in control and still offers us good gifts. We just have to know where to look for them. Today on...

Mike Signorelli, once an atheist, is now the founder and Pastor at V1 Church in New York City. He has created a 32 page eBook for those who need a quick start guide to help them go from chaos to clarity in their lives. Today on Connections, Mike shares how we can reset our lives and begin moving in the direction of our dreams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Linda Gerritsen was in a life-altering plane crash in March of 1982. She lost a close friend and had to learn to face the world in a whole new way. Instead of losing her faith in God, Linda's faith grew stronger trial after trial. Today on Connections, Linda shares her story unbelievable story. She also shares how this tragedy helped her faith grow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Rudy Kalis is a former sportscaster who immigrated to the United States and lived through decades of cultural, language and educational challenges. In trying to make a name for himself, he alienated others until one day he was confronted with the truth of who he was and a pathway to live a different life. Today on Connections, Rudy shares how he overcame these challenges and what role faith played...

Life is filled with changes that keep many in a constant state of anxiety. Dr. Michelle Bengston, a board-certified neuropsychologist with more than 25 years of experience in the mental health field, is using her own experience with anxiety to help others.  She wants those suffering to replace those feelings with the truth of God's word.  Today on Connections, Dr. Bengston shares her personal jour...

When Christopher Duffley was born, he weighed just 1 lb, 12 oz, due to drug exposure. He was given a limited chance of survival. Four years later, he was handed a microphone and started a journey that has inspired audiences throughout the world. Today on Connections, Christopher and his mother Christine will share their inspirational story.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Christmas quiz at an office Christmas party changed the research path for one historian. Dr. Gerry Bowler was interested in making the quiz both challenging and intriguing, so he started researching the different facts and myths surrounding Christmas. Dr. Bowler says this lead him down a 30-year path of researching everything Christmas. Today on Connections, Dr. Bowler shares the myths and facts...

Multi-GRAMMY nominated artist Matthew West is ringing in the holidays with his new full-length album, We Need Christmas. "These past couple of years have felt like peace is in short supply, hope has been hard to find, and love and joy have been lost for so many," shares Matthew West about the inspiration for his new project. "Christmas is a time when our hearts can be powerfully reminded that the...

August 8, 2021, is a day that the Goertzen family would like to forget. It was on that day that 17-year-old Sophie Goertzen and her 15-year-old sister Acacia Goerzen lost their lives in a terrible crash. Duane and Sylvia Goertzen, the mother and father of the two girls, are the Directors of Roseau River Bible Camp (RRBC) in Manitoba.   Today on Connections, Duane shares what the past few months ha...

American Underdog is the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner, who went from a stock boy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centres on Warner's unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player. Today on Connections, Jon Erwin, who directed American Underdog with hi...

Christmas is creeping up very quickly. For many of us this is a festive and joyful time. For others, this can bring on some unecessary stress.  Today on Connections, Lucille Williams gives us tips on how to avoid the Christmas meltdown so that we can enjoy the real reason for the season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you have ever felt alone, uncertain, or overwhelmed, or questioned why God has allowed difficult circumstances to become part of your personal narrative, Jody McBrayer’s story is for you. Today on Connections, the former Avalon band member shares the ups and downs that he has experienced over the years and how he has managed to come out on the other side. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Stories matter. They provide a compelling conduit through which we can connect with and impact other people. Linda Olson has compiled seven true, powerful stories from women who have persevered in spite of overwhelming challenges, and she shares them in her new book, Story Matters! Empowering Your Hope When Going Through Tough Times. Today on Connections, Linda shares why it's so important to shar...

A video has gone viral of a man playing his piano amid devastation following deadly tornadoes in the United States. Jordan Baize lost his home in the tornadoes that spanned across nine states but can be seen sitting at his piano playing in a room without a roof and rubble littered around him.  Today on Connections, Jordan shares what it was like to live through the tornado and what prompted him to...

The Man From Nowhere gives the prodigal son story a new twist. The film centers on a prodigal father who discovers he is dying. He seeks to reconcile his relationship with his son who is battling alcoholism. Chris Dowling is the writer and producer of this film. Today on Connections, Chris shares the inspiration behind this new movie and how they managed to film it in just eight days. See omnystud...

Who is Mary? How can we relate to her this Christmas season? Dr. Marina Hofman is a Bible and theology professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Today on Connections, Dr. Hoffmans shares with us how we can relate to Mary in more ways than we think. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shearon Epps comes from a large family of 18 siblings. Who she is today is a combination of her rich experiences of growing up in humble beginnings and her hard work as a single mom who also solo parents her three grandkids. Never did she imagine that she would be writing books.  Today on Connections, Shearon will share her faith journey and what sparked her interest in writing. See omnystudio.com...

Substance abuse is a huge problem everywhere In the world.  It can especially be a problem in the restaurant industry. Steve Palmer lived with a drinking and cocaine problem and turned his life around. He is now a restaurateur and the author of Say Grace: How the Restaurant Business Saved My Life. Today on Connections, Steve shares his story. He also chats about the insidious role that substance a...

Zoe Niklas discovered hope in the darkness of danger and isolation. She found out that freedom from abuse is possible! Zoe faced more in her childhood than many of us will experience in a lifetime. She suffered from pain, fear, abandonment as well as,  psychological, sexual and physical abuse at the hands of her own mother and many step-fathers. Today on Connections, Zoe shares how she managed to...