Connections with Mike Thom and Colleen Houde

Spend five minutes with the members of CAIN and you’ll feel like you’ve spent the afternoon in the sunshine. Raised in Alabama the kids of pastors, CAIN developed a love for music from an early age. By elementary school, they were integrated into the church service, playing and singing side-by-side, but never pursued music in a serious way until later on in life Making it to their Rise Up debut di...

Unresolved trauma can take a serious toll on a child, but sometimes families just don’t know what to say or where to turn for help.  Hidden: Her Truth Her Pain, from Shun Jamerson Tomlin, is a thought-provoking story about a young girl who was victimized by a close family friend and the profound impact of her family’s decision to keep quiet.  Hidden candidly explores themes of self-forgiveness, st...

It's been over two weeks since the collapse of the Champlain Towers in Surfside, Florida.  Just last week authorities made the decision to shift the search effort from rescue to recovery.  JP Funk is a pastor with Calvary Chapel Miami Beach. He along with staff and volunteers from his church have been at the scene since day one offering prayer, food and anything else that first responders and fami...

Seventeen years ago, Juli, a 25-year-old nurse practitioner, moved from Los Angeles to a small village in Kenya to be a part of an HIV program.  In 2009, she founded a hospice called Living Room International where men, women, and children come either to heal or to be loved until they die. Kenya is also where Juli met her husband, Titus and together built a family, one biological daughter and two...

For years, Christians have argued, debated, and fought one another while "speaking the truth in love," yet we are no closer to the grace-filled life Jesus modelled. Biblical scholar and popular podcast host of The Bible for Normal People, Jared Byas casts a new vision for the Christian life that's built not on certainty, but on the risk of love.   Jared unpacks the concept of truth, its meaning, a...

Tara Royer Steele is using pie as an opportunity to build relationships and further God's Kingdom. When she was just 12 years old, Tara started working in her family's cafe, Royers Round Top Cafe & Catering. She recently stepped away to follow God's new direction in life, and now Tara and her husband own and operate Royers Pie Haven, which she considers her ministry. Tara has also recently release...

Young adulthood is often a challenging time filled with big decisions, greater expectations, and major responsibilities. The pressures to succeed and be a positive influence can be intimidating but also deeply rewarding. In Adulting 101 Book 2, authors Josh Burnette and Pete Hardesty offer life skills and practical advice to launch twentysomethings into healthy, successful adulthood. They also dis...

There are times when we all need reminding that we’re never invisible in God’s eyes and that we can trust Him to show up powerfully in our lives. In Joan E. Murray's new book, You Can TRUST Him: Anchoring Your Hope in God During Difficult Times sheunpacks the complex topic of trust and shares powerful, modern-day examples of God’s presence.   Joan Murray is the founder and CEO of Joan Murray Minis...

A summer day at the beach, pool, or on the boat should be a fun day. But fun can quickly turn to tragedy if the appropriate safety steps aren't taken. Dr. Christopher Love from the Lifesaving Society joins us to keep everyone safe this summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new social media campaign is launching on June 29 to raise awareness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Daily, the #94in94 campaign will highlight each of the 94 Calls to Action in as many days, encouraging people to take action in a variety of ways. The campaign will conclude on September 30 in honour of Orange Shirt Day and the first National Day for Truth and Rec...

Women in the Bible overcame challenges with courage and faith, and can teach us about leadership, character, and strength! Their message for us today? With God all things are possible!   Marina Hofman (Ph. D., theology) is an expert on women in the Bible and an award-winning writer recognized for fresh insights and a positive perspective. Her engaging content connects listeners with stories of wom...

Captivity” might seem like a word that belongs in Old Testament history, but the reality for many Christians around the world is that following Jesus means the literal loss of physical freedom. Last year alone, 4,277 Christians were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned because of their faith.  Another 1,710 Christians were abducted. This is what prompted Open Doors Canada to...

Scot McKnight says in recent years, Christians have gotten used to revelations of abuses of many kinds in our most respected churches. He says we need a better way, a map, to get us from where we are today to where we ought to be as the body of Christ.  Today on Connections, Scot shares what that map is and how we can start forming a goodness culture that resists abuses of power and promotes heali...

The world’s largest unmet disability is poor vision, but one organization is doing its part to help end this global epidemic. Founded by J. Kevin White, U.S. Marine (Ret.) and Naval Academy graduate, Global Vision 2020 and its partners have delivered over 50 thousand pairs of prescription eyeglasses to over 48 countries in the most remote areas of the world. They use the innovative USee Vision Kit...

Rachelle Luk is a Covenant Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and worship leader. Known for her welcoming authenticity on stage, Rachelle is a passionate artist who uses her soulful voice, insightful lyrics, and genre-bending versatility to communicate hope. Infusing intelligence and honesty into profoundly relatable Christian music, she isn’t afraid to explore a wide range of emotions and e...

2020 and 2021 have been quite the whirlwind for Colton Dixon and his family. In March of 2020, touring came to a halt for Colton as COVID-19 took over the world.  Shortly after that, Colton along with his wife Annie, announced that they were expecting twin girls. Those girls were born in August of 2020, but not without complication. Today on Connections, Colton Dixon shares the miracle story of hi...

Rob Kenney’s father left him and his seven siblings when he was fourteen years old, and the youngest had to fend for themselves. He wished that he had someone who could teach him the basics—how to tie a tie, jump-start a car, unclog a drain, use tools properly—as well as succeed in life. But he and his siblings had to figure these things out on their own.  Now a father himself, Rob decided that he...

Karen McGregor is a thought leader and catalyst for influencers with a powerful global message. Karen has supported hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs over the past decade to create and deliver powerful messages.   The past year and a bit have been filled with global devastation and grief and Karen wants to help bring a sense of calmness back into homes.  Today on Connections, Karen shares six...

If I asked you to name your favourite things—the things you love—how long would it take for you to name yourself? If you’re anything like Jonathan, you may have tried to love God and love others without thinking too much about yourself. Wanting to avoid self-centeredness, he doubted himself and condemned himself—he even hated himself—until he noticed the ancient words of Mark 12:31, “Love your nei...

Dr. Kevin Leman is a is an internationally known psychologist, Christian author and speaker.  He has written numerous books including his most recent, 8 Secrets to Raising Successful Kids: Nurturing Character, Respect, and a Winning Attitude. Today on Connections, Dr. Leman shares some of those secrets with us and talks about how we can incorporate our faith into everything we do.  See omnystudio....

JJ Heller isn’t your typical musician. She’s much more like a friend you would share a cup of coffee with who happens to play music. For over 17 years, JJ has remained firm in her passion to remind women they are loved, they are not alone, and they can live life with a whole heart. Heller and her husband, Dave, work creatively together co-writing songs and touring the country. After 17 years of ma...

Singer/Songwriter Ellie Holcomb is set to release her third studio LP, Canyon, this summer on June 25th in partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group. This will mark the first label distributed release for the independent artist. "Canyon is a record about a deeper sorrow and a higher hope," shares Ellie Holcomb.   Since her solo debut in 2014, Holcomb has garnered two GMA Dove Awards, includin...

Savannah Locke is an author, blogger, songwriter and so much more.  Some days she's a learner, asking questions about God and the world he’s redeeming. Other times she's watching television on a Monday night, stress-eating a cheese board to cope with the drama. Savannah Locke recently had the opportunity to take part in the Faithful Project alongside numerous powerful women including, Amy Grant, R...

Rachael Lampa became an overnight success when she was just 15 years old.  She spent years touring and recording before deciding to step away from her record label to find her true identity. During those years she worked as a backup singer, joined an acapella group, nannied, got married,  started up a non-profit in Nashville and eventually became a mother. She is now stepping back into the music s...

Alexandra Boylan, an award-winning filmmaker, was born and raised in  Georgetown, Massachusetts, where she first began her exploration into acting. When she was 19-years old, Alexandra moved from Boston to Los Angeles all alone. After a year, she became homeless and lived out of her car for a year while pursuing acting. From 1999-2009 she struggled to pursue a career as an actress while working in...