DoorWays® Ministry Podcast

A melanoma diagnosis brought Dr. Sam Farina face-to-face with fear and uncertainty. It also placed him among people searching for hope. In this episode, he reflects on how God used a hard season to create meaningful ministry in unexpected moments.

When war becomes daily life, how do believers continue to serve? In this episode, Ric Shields is joined by missionary and humanitarian Jim Gilbert to share firsthand stories from war-torn Ukraine. Together they explore trauma, resilience, and what faithful ministry looks like when missiles fall.

Behind many struggling teens is a story of bullying. This episode explores how bullying silently affects teenagers and offers practical guidance for listening well, responding wisely, and helping teens move toward safety and hope.

In Part 2 of this conversation on gender dysphoria, Ric Shields speaks with Dr. Linda Seiler about the three primary types of gender dysphoria, the cultural forces shaping today’s confusion, and the lasting consequences of medical transition. Drawing from both personal testimony and clinical insight, Dr. Seiler points to the hope, healing, and transformation found in Christ.

Dr. Linda Seiler spent her childhood convinced she was meant to be a boy—but God wrote a different story. In this honest conversation, she shares her journey out of gender confusion and offers biblical clarity for a culture that’s rapidly changing. Ric Shields and Dr. Seiler bring compassion, insight, and hope to a topic many Christians wrestle to understand.

Teen substance abuse is escalating faster than most parents realize. In this powerful episode, Ric speaks with Julie Tittjung of Freedom House Adult & Teen Challenge, a woman who didn’t just study addiction; she survived it. From vaping to fentanyl, peer pressure to bullying, and the devastating rise of overdose deaths, Julie exposes the realities today’s teens are facing and the hope that sti...

In this episode, Ric sits down with 16-year-old Greyson Wootton, not a researcher, not a psychologist, but a real high school student living the real pressures of teenage life. From risky behaviors and body image to academics, identity, and belonging, Greyson offers honest insight into what life is really like for teenagers in 2025.

In this special Thanksgiving episode of the DoorWays Ministry Podcast, Ric Shields shares a powerful true story of God’s unexpected provision: an unopened envelope, an honest prayer, and a miracle that made generosity possible. He also invites listeners to explore the newly restored DoorWays website. Filled with encouragement, biblical insight, and a reminder that God supplies seed to the sower, t...

Your kid sits you down. They look nervous. And then you hear the words you weren’t expecting today: “We’re dating.” …Now what? In this episode, the team dives into the moment every Christian family eventually faces — when a child starts stepping into dating relationships. We talk about the tension between wanting to protect our kids and wanting to build trust with them, how to respond without over...

In this podcast, Ric Shields speaks with Dr. Nicholas Westers, a leading expert on self-injury and adolescent psychology. They discuss why people may harm themselves, how to recognize the hidden pain behind it, and how to respond with compassion rather than fear. This episode offers clarity, hope, and encouragement for anyone who wants to understand and make a difference.

In this powerful episode of the DoorWays® Ministry Podcast, host Ric Shields talks with Lydia Maier, a woman who battled years of self-harm, depression, and suicide attempts before finding true freedom through faith. Once a psychiatric patient, now a missionary in Switzerland, Lydia shares how God transformed her pain into purpose and how prayer and grace can bring healing to even the darkest plac...

Poverty isn’t always visible—but for many teens in rural communities, it shapes every part of life. In this episode, Ric Shields talks with counselor Jessica Dixon-Neal about the unseen challenges young people face when access to care, resources, and opportunity is out of reach. Together, they share stories of resilience and remind us that consistent compassion can help restore hope where it’s har...

Teen depression is real, and it's closer than we think. In this powerful conversation, Ric Shields speaks with Laura Smith from Grand Mental Health to talk about the hidden battles teenagers face and how faith, presence, and love can change everything. They discuss the impact of social pressure, family stress, and the hope that comes through compassion and care.

Over 80% of teens have seen pornography… but 75% of parents think their kids haven’t. In this powerful and painfully honest episode, Ric Shields and youth pastor Titus Schmitt expose how porn is quietly shaping a generation. They share real, hopeful steps families can take to fight back and find freedom.

Social media is one of the most powerful influences in a teenager's life today. In this episode of the DoorWays® Ministry Podcast, Ric Shields and guest Macee McAtee explore how parents, pastors, and mentors can guide teens to use their online presence for good. Learn how to help teens navigate comparison, identity, and influence while shining the light of Christ in a digital world.

What if we shifted our mindset from “rescuing kids” to “redeeming families”? In this episode of the DoorWays® Ministry Podcast, Ric Shields sits down with Gary and Tammie Webb of OCJ Kids. Together, they share powerful stories of foster teens, the importance of strengthening families, and how small acts of compassion can transform lives forever. 

Every foster teen carries a story most of us never hear. Gary and Tammy Webb, directors of OCJ Kids, shed light on the hidden struggles of broken homes, trauma, and the uncertainty of life in the system. They share how their ministry comes alongside foster youth with practical support, mentorship, and hope, and challenge the church to step in and meet teens where they are with the love of Christ.

What does it take to truly reach the hearts of today’s teenagers? Youth pastors Matt Brunner and T.J. Sorgenfrei share how discipleship and evangelism go hand in hand, why authentic faith matters more than polished programs, and how prayer and presence remain the most powerful tools in shaping the next generation.

Raising teens isn’t easy, but it’s not hopeless either. In this episode, Adam and Christa Hoch share real-life stories, faith-filled wisdom, and practical tips for navigating the ups and downs of parenting teenagers. From communication and controlled freedom to showing grace (for your kids and yourself), this conversation brings encouragement, laughter, and hope for every parent walking through th...

Blended families come with challenges but also incredible rewards. Aaron and Sydney Johnson open up about their story, offering practical tools and faith-filled encouragement to help others on the same journey.

Whitney Barth, Executive Pastor at More Church in Arlington, TX, opens up about experiencing her parents’ divorce and the deep impact it had on her life. She shares heartfelt insights on the fears, identity struggles, and loyalty conflicts children face, along with practical guidance for parents to help their kids find stability and hope.

Vicki LaFave shares her journey through a 36-year marriage that ended in divorce, the fears and losses she faced, and the faith that carried her through. Now remarried and leading a ministry for single moms, Vicki offers hope, wisdom, and encouragement to women navigating the pain of divorce and the path to renewal.

Joe and Danielle Cook, lead pastors at Hope Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, share how years of regular date nights and open communication built the strong foundation that now carries them through the empty nest years. They reflect on the freedom and change that comes when the kids are gone, the evolving role of parenting adult children, and the opportunities for renewed purpose in this new seaso...

Chris and Cara Rathbone share how they navigate marriage, parenting, and leadership as pastors. They explore the pressures of ministry life and the four key attitudes that keep them grounded in faith and each other.

Chresten and Bridgette Tomlin, married and in itinerant ministry for 27 years, share the joys and challenges of life on the road. They discuss how parenting, finances, and intentional connection have shaped their marriage, and offer practical insight for couples learning to balance ministry, family, and faith.