Connections with Mike Thom and Colleen Houde

Lucille Williams struggled with an eating disorder and was determined not to pass it on to her daughter. But she says breaking the cycle of family dysfunction is not easy. It takes intentionality and often times a support group and or therapy. Today on Connections, Lucille shares her story and how she managed to break the cycle of family dysfunction. She also talks about the role that God played i...

When the world's problems loom large and your ordinary life stretches you thin, it is still possible to be a difference-maker--and it's simpler than you might think. Rather than telling you to do more, Becky Keife shows you how to see more: more of the people in front of you, more of God's lavish love for you, more of His power within you.   Today on Connections, Becky shares with us how simple it...

Have you ever wondered "Why does this girl hate me?" or even "Why do I hate her?" Danielle has answers for you - and actionable solutions. Not because she's perfect... In fact, you're going to find out fast she has been both "the hater" and "the hated". She'll share real and very raw stories of girls hating her without knowing her, and at other times, how she, herself, was so jealous of another wo...

Author, speaker and ex-Playboy Bunny Robyn Dykstra escaped a life of drugs, alcohol and promiscuity for a fresh start with Jesus. She also became the accidental expert on the faithfulness of God and finding joy during difficult times when she buried two husbands in four short years. Today on Connections, Robyn shares how she went from a Playboy Bunny to finding Jesus and how her faith remained str...

When Brooke Johns, a registered nurse at Southern Hills hospital in Las Vegas is not busy running around the emergency room, you can find her braiding and combing the hair of patients on her days off.  Today on Connections, Brooke shares the inspiration behind this act and why she has no plans on stopping. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The past couple of years have been difficult for those working in the music industry. GMA Canada whose mission is to celebrate and encourage excellence in Canadian Christian music and arts has found a way to gather the Canadian Christian music community in one place. They've started up Gathering GMA Canada, a virtual event that takes place once a month. Jaylene Johnson is a singer and songwriter....

According to Gary Thomas, we all have toxic people in our lives. Maybe we don’t know it. Maybe we don’t want to acknowledge it.  As Christians, we often feel the guilt and responsibility of meeting the needs of unhealthy people in our lives. Whether a sibling, parent, spouse, coworker, or friend, toxic people frequently seek to frustrate our life's calling. While you're seeking first God's kingdom...

After serving in ministry and life together with his wife and partner Karen for over 50 years, Ron Hutchcraft was devastated in 2016 when she died of a sudden heart attack. Reeling from the loss, he turned to God for strength and comfort but found the hope to move forward despite the circumstances. Today on Connections, Ron Hutchcraft shares his story of hope and how you can find that hope as well...

Bubbling, what is it? How is it connected to God?  Lynn Hancock is also known as the bubble lady. She spends the warmer months going from park to park in Guelph, Ontario, creating bubbles. Today on Connections, Lynn shares how she first got involved with bubbling and how she's using this as a way to spread joy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christine Naman watched her perfectly healthy daughter thrive and then succumb to the pull of substances. She suffered the feelings of isolation, pain and humiliation that being the parent of an addict often brings. She says her faith and strength in God is what helped both herself and her daughter, Natalie get to where they are today. Christine now hopes that by sharing her family’s difficult sto...

A little girl dreams of her wedding day, not her marriage. She probably doesn’t even know what the word marriage means—just how much crinoline she wants under her dress. At least this is what Christie was thinking about, not the marriage relationship, money matters, or faith decisions. Today on Connections, Christie Amoyo shares the real-life decisions and dramas that occurred before—and after—she...

On February 19, 2007, SSG Shilo Harris was patrolling an infamous southern Iraqi roadway when his Humvee was struck by an IED. Moments later, three members of his crew were dead and Shilo had sustained severe injuries that would alter the course of his life. For forty-eight days,Shilo lay trapped in a medically induced coma, after which he had to come to grips with the new life that was ahead of h...

Sylvia Anthony endured a difficult childhood that included an abusive father and a disinterested mother. Sylvia married young and remained in an abusive marriage until a divorce that left her alone to support her three children. Through her ambition and strength of character, Sylvia persevered, building a life for herself and her kids. After raising her children, Sylvia remarried — still, there wa...

Life is unpredictable. The plans we dream about and make don’t always become our realities. Today on Connections, Bethany Beal, co-founder of Girl Defined Ministries, reminds us that true hope doesn't come from getting the life we've always dreamed of but from trusting God with the life he has for us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winnipeg-born author and speaker Amy Hayward has released her first book, Victory Over Rejection. “Each of us has a unique story, and for too many of us, that story includes rejection, " says Hayward. She is now sharing her story of victory in hopes of helping others to find freedom and break out of that cycle of rejection, fear and pain.  Amy shares her testimony with us today on Connections.  Se...

From LA’s famed The Magic Castle, to a national reality show, to venues around the globe, Illusionist Danny Ray has mystified and entertained audiences with his unique blend of magic, humour, and inspiration.  Now, with his debut book, “No, I Can’t Make Your Wife Disappear: A Magician’s Guide for a Magical Marriage”, Ray uncovers the secrets to a happy, enduring marriage by sharing biblical princi...

Bob and Karen Krech’s baby girl was born at 23 weeks, weighing just 450 grams, four grams less than a pound. She was not much bigger than her dad’s hand. The doctor at the birth advised Karen to just hold the baby and keep her warm until she passed on. Instead, the Krech’s put their trust in God and their faith to the test.  Today on Connections, Bob shares their family's journey and how their fai...

Marriage on its own is challenging. Throw some kids into the mix and things can get very complicated.  Can those two things be combined? If not, which one should we be focusing on first? Our marriage or our children?   Lucille Williams joins us today. She is the author of the book, The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace.  She's also a national speaker and has minis...

When Hayden Moffit was born, he was diagnosed with a severe case of cerebal palsy. His parents were told that the future was grim and that he would never leave the hospital. But in fact, Hayden did leave the hospital and went on to live for over two years. His mother Rochelle says, God showed his grace and mercy all through Hayden's life and did many miracles that kept them going.  Today on Connec...

The return to Standard Time started Sunday, November 7 – a routine that results in adjustment not only to our watches but also to our internal clocks. While we gain an extra hour of sleep on Sunday, the change to our sleep schedules can disrupt our well-being. How can we benefit from this extra hour of sleep? What are the effects of having more daylight in the morning and less in the afternoon? To...

This November 7th, hundreds of thousands of believers from around the world will join together in prayer for Christians who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is an annual movement that brings Christians and churches together in prayer for their brothers and sisters living where faith costs the most. Today on Connections, Ga...

Brad Klassen and his wife Jen began their adventure by volunteering in the children's ministry at their church. Little did they know where saying yes to that would take them.  As their hearts grew for the children they served, they also grew for the families.  Brad and Jen have created a new book series called The Unforgettable Adventures of Junior Bear.  These books equip parents with the confide...

Dr. Nicholas Greco is the provost at Providence University College and Theological Seminary in Otterburne, Manitoba. Dr. Greco’s research interests revolve around popular music, popular culture and the nature of celebrity. He has written extensively on the enigmatic star image of the British singer Morrissey, on Joss Whedon’s televisual texts and on David Bowie’s later career. His book, The Rosary...

T.C. Stallings, professional football athlete turned actor, is best known for his award-winning role in the #1 box-office film War Room. But throughout his life, he sensed a spiritual battle from a young age enduring challenging, life-altering circumstances. T.C. was desperate to escape the housing projects of Cleveland, where he grew up surrounded by gangs, crime, violence, and drugs. Raised by a...

Being a good mom isn't about doing everything right--though every mom has felt the pressure to do just that and to do it all on her own. To ask for help along the way feels like defeat. Yet when we try to do it all by our own strength, we end up depleted, lonely, and ineffective. Heather MacFadyen wants you to know that you are not meant to go it alone. Sharing her hardest, most vulnerable mom mom...