Connections with Mike Thom and Colleen Houde

The first week of May is mental health awareness week in Canada. According to Laura Howe, approximately 43.8 million people per year experience some kind of mental health concern.  However, 49% of pastors say they rarely (if ever) speak to their congregation about mental health. Laura Howe is the founder of Hope Made Strong, an organization dedicated to equipping leaders with the mental health res...

From a runaway street kid in Uganda to a foster dad in America, Peter Mutabazi discovered the value of being known.   He is sharing his powerful story with the world in his book, Now I am Known: How a Street Kid Turned Foster Dad Found Acceptance and True Worth. Today on Connections, Peter shares his story and how his faith helped him through. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesse Reeves is a prolific songwriter in the worship realm, as he spent 17 years leading worship and touring with Chris Tomlin and penning many songs that are sung each week internationally. He co-wrote "How Great Is Our God," "Our God," "Lord, I Need You," and most recently, the powerful anthem and Dove-nominated song, "I Speak Jesus," which was the No. 2 song at Multi-Tracks for 2022 and is gain...

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...

There may be no more powerful desire in the human heart than to be loved. And not just loved, but loved anyway. Despite what we’ve done or left undone, we long for the unconditional love that we know deep down we don’t deserve. Bestselling author Jared C. Wilson says that kind of love exists, and it is an experience that is ours for the having. He shares this in his new book, Love Me Anyway: How G...

After losing a close friend to cancer, a friend for whom she wrote her award-winning song, "Overcomer", Mandisa descended into a dark pit of depression, isolating herself from family and friends and turning to her familiar friend, food, for comfort. Clinging to the hope of Psalm 40 in her overwhelming darkness, she slowly began to recognize cracks of light where God was at work.  She writes about...

Tomorrow is Earth Day. Every year on April 22nd, people across the country recognize and celebrate Earth Day, one of the largest environmental events in the world.  The goal is not only to promote Earth Day just once a year but to connect people to nature every day.  A Rocha is an international Christian organization which, inspired by God’s love, engages in scientific research, environmental educ...

As parents, we either raise kids who are dependent on us or we raise kids who grow into confident and capable adults. It all comes down to helping them develop their mindsets, skillsets, and toolsets. Jonathan and Erica Catherman share practical ways to prepare your kids for life on their own. They help you see how your kids view everyday demands of life as either threats to survive or challenges...

Why can bad things appear so beautiful? Why are we so drawn to the shiny object in the room? Wendy Patrick, PhD. is a career prosecutor with degrees in psychology, law, divinity, and theology. For decades, she has worked with victims and witnesses who dismissed red flags and personal intuition, only to find themselves entangled in perilous situations with dangerous people.  She writes about this i...

Prayer places us into God’s grace and mercy, and the prayers that strengthen our souls are the ones that guide us into His presence, where He can soothe our concerns and raise our spirits. When we seek His strength, we need to listen for the still, small voice of God that helps us grow, change, and increase our obedience to Him. Karen Moore is the author of over 120 inspirational books, including...

Parenting is challenging. Finding time for family can be difficult, and carving out time for God is last on the list.  Crystal Paine, mom of six, bestselling author, podcaster, and entrepreneur, wants to help you change this.  In her new book , The Time Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most, Crystal delivers a no-nonsense, real-world guide on how to org...

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...

Claudia Wells' iconic starring role as Jennifer Parker, Michael J. Fox’s present-day girlfriend in the 1985 hit film BACK TO THE FUTURE, has forever put her in movie history. Although things seemed perfect on the outside, behind closed doors, Claudia's world was crashing down around her.  Today on Connections, Claudia shares how she was able to find God in Hollywood. She also shares what she is up...

Women are bombarded with narratives about how they should look, behave and live. No woman could meet all these shifting expectations, yet many pour endless energy into the pursuit. And eventually, insecurity sets in as she questions everything about herself, including her worth. Amanda Pittman, author of Stand in Confidence: From Sinking in Insecurity to Rising in Your God-Given Identity, has spen...

In 1991 Helen Smallbone and her husband, David, packed up their family and sixteen suitcases to move from Australia to the United States. Completely isolated from the support of family and friends, they relied on God to provide them with hope and direction. In spite of all the barriers, Helen watched her children succeed. Rebecca St. James’ career grew, soon followed by blossoming careers for the...

Kira Fontana dreamed of a life-long music career. She loved singing and composing songs, and after studying music composition at top conservatories on the East Coast, Kira moved to Los Angeles to begin her music career. She eventually became one of the top vocal coaches in the city. For most, this would be an exciting opportunity, but it left Kira longing for more.  Discouraged by what she saw in...

Alexis is a traumatic brain injury survivor dedicated to bringing awareness and compassion to other survivors and those supporting them. She is a college and university graduate who established her career in the criminal justice system. For more than a decade, she dedicated herself to working in the criminal justice field, as well as her local women’s shelter, where she supported survivors of dome...

NFL chaplain and pastor Jonathan Evans remembers living life on “cruise control,” comfortable where he was, following in the footsteps of his well-known and respected father, Dr. Tony Evans, until one day, he realized he didn’t know his role or purpose in life. Jonathan didn’t wait to figure it out; he took action and pursued what God had in store for him. His new book, Your Time is Now: Get What...

When unexpected moments change life’s trajectory, we’re left with a choice: Do we overcome the unexpected, as the world recommends, or undergo it? Jillian Benfield says undergoing an unexpected season begins a transformation that deconstructs our old self and reconstructs us into who God intends us to become. Today on Connections, Jillian shares the inspiration behind her book and how she was able...

We were designed for a close, intimate relationship with God. But despite our best efforts to nurture our connection with him, busyness often distracts us from truly experiencing it. One of the most common distractions to our relationship with the Lord is anxiety. How do we change this? Today on Connections, Kristel Ward, mother of three, former school teacher and author of Grace to Grow: 40 Devot...

When he was born, Chris weighed 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. By 10, he sang the national anthem at Fenway Park and became a Youtube sensation by 11. With each keynote, song, & performance Chris teaches audiences they are unlimited...

Sheila Walsh is sharing candidly about her mental health struggles in hopes of encouraging the millions struggling to hold on to and live in the love of God. In her new book, Holding On When You Want to Let Go: Clinging to Hope When Life Is Falling Apart, Sheila Walsh vulnerably shares the traumatic events of her childhood, the loneliness, anxiety, and depression that still creep into her life, ho...

We live in a society where sources of hope are few and far between. Over the last two years, we have seen and experienced much turmoil and distress. It often seems like there is no escaping adversity, challenges and emotional upheaval. Pastor Benjamin Windle says we need to rebrand hope. How? Today on Connections, Benjamin shares how good can come from catastrophe. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Karen Abercrombie is an award-winning actress, storyteller, independent film producer, highly sought-after speaker, and an avid environmentalist.  Her latest film project is Heaven Sent, a new romantic comedy streaming now on Pure Flix that shares stories of three couples at different stages of life and is a journey through finding love, hope and joy after loss.  She's also involved with a new non...

It has been over 100 years since the Bible last had a cover-to-cover formatting change, yet reading habits have drastically changed. Lists, maps, graphics, and descriptions are now an essential part of how we consume information. Now, readers can experience scripture in a fresh, more understandable way with The Readable Bible . Today on Connections, Rod Laughlin, creator of The Readable Bible shar...