HomeWord with Jim Burns

A recent Barna study reveals that 62% of men report struggling with sex addiction or challenges related to pornography—yet only 1 in 10 churches offer resources to help. In this powerful and vulnerable episode, Chris Cannon, founder and Executive Director of Sword and Shovel and leader in HomeWord’s Pastor-to-Pastor ministry, shares his personal journey from early exposure to pornography at age 8...

God created us with a deep need for connection—not on social media, but real, meaningful connection. Dr. Mark Mayfield joins Jim Burns to unpack the growing epidemic of loneliness and its serious impact on our physical and emotional health. They talk about how loneliness affects children as well as adults, and how people often try to numb it in unhealthy ways. Dr. Mayfield shares a personal story...

Did you know that 27% of adults are estranged from at least one family member? In this heartfelt episode, Jim Burns sits down with therapist and author Tina Gilbertson to unpack the many layers of parent–adult child estrangement. They explore the different forms this can take—whether emotional distance, total silence, or an on-again, off-again connection. Tina shares practical do’s and don’ts for...

Grandchildren today face a rapidly changing world—and more than ever, they need intentional, Christ-centered grandparents who are present, prayerful, and purpose-driven. In this inspiring episode, Jim Burns sits down with Larry Fowler, Founder and CEO of Legacy Coalition, to explore the powerful spiritual influence grandparents can have on the next generation. Larry shares how Scripture opened his...

Did you know that staying connected with our kids can actually change their brain chemistry? Today, Jim welcomes Dr. Chinwé Williams—a trauma therapist, author, and speaker—for a powerful conversation about the vital role parents play in their children's emotional and spiritual development. They explore the healing power of presence, the pain that comes from disconnection, and how to balance...

Is technology bringing your family closer together—or pulling it farther apart? That’s one of the key questions Jim Burns invites you to reflect on in this episode about building a media-safe home. He encourages parents to evaluate what their children are seeing and hearing, examine their own habits, and engage in ongoing conversations about technology and social media. How can we guide our kids t...

Today, Jim welcomes Cindi J. Martin, a licensed psychotherapist with over 40 years of experience in counseling and ministry. As Founder and Director of Wellspring Counseling Ministries, Cindi integrates biblical faith with mental health support to help individuals and couples heal from trauma, addiction, and relational challenges. Cindi recently released a truly excellent book called Choosing Inti...

*Trigger Warning* This episode contains adult themes around pornography and marital betrayal. For the wife whose husband was unfaithful or discovered to have a sexual addiction, you know the pain, anger, and sense of betrayal that overtakes you. Today’s guest, Dr. Sheri Denham Keffer, knows this agony all too well - and her journey through it is what led her to help women in a similar situation to...

Do you consider yourself a go-with-the-flow parent? Or are you a little more rigid? When it comes to raising our kids, it turns out that flexibility and adaptability are vital to effective parenting - but that doesn’t mean boundaries and authority don’t have their place. Today, Jim welcomes Dr. Danny Huerta. Dr. Huerta is a bilingual psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, author of 7 Trait...

Forgiveness is hard. There are hurts so deep that the pain has become a familiar friend you can’t imagine life without  - so how do you move forward? Today, Jim welcomes back Ruth Graham, author, speaker, and founder of Ruth Graham Ministries, to discuss her book Forgiving My Father, Forgiving Myself. Ruth’s story is full of deep wounds that affected her for years until she discovered the true fre...

‘Outdo one another in showing honor.’ - Romans 12:10  This isn’t a marriage verse - is it? When we are looking for opportunities to “outdo” one another in honor, love, and kindness, the relationship can’t help but flourish. And if we try to “outlove” our spouse daily (not out of unhealthy competition or pride) but out of genuine desire to serve and support each other, pretty amazing things begin t...

It’s no secret that parenting looks different now than it did when our parents and grandparents were having kids. This may even be a point of tension in how you parent now! But what are some of the golden parenting nuggets from generations gone by that may be of use today? Today, Jim welcomes friend Rick Bundschuh: a veteran surfer, Youth Pastor, Bible Teacher, writer, cartoonist, humorist, and on...

Moms, have you wanted to pass on your life experiences and instill faith in your daughter, but you’re maybe feeling unqualified and unsure where to start? This episode is for you! Today, Jim welcomes mother-daughter duo, Sandra Stanley and Allie Stanley Cooney to talk about their new book, Meet Me in The Middle, which is all about navigating conversations around life, faith, identity, relationship...

“Being a dad is the only thing a man does in his life without a specific plan.” - Jeff Hamilton Cheat codes for parenting don’t exist but today’s episode with Dad Academy founder Jeff Hamilton is the next best thing. If you’re a dad and you’re desperate to do this parenting thing well and you’re not entirely sure how to do it, this one’s for you! Join Jim and Jeff as they unpack 4 key principles t...

In today’s episode, Jim welcomes his friend Dr. Aaron Santmyire. Aaron is a husband, father, nurse practitioner, author, and host of The Clarity Podcast. Aaron has spent the last 20 years of his life serving in Africa, specifically Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and Kenya, and recently released a book called A Caring Family: Seven Virtues that Help Your Family Care Better and Love Longer. Together, Jim...

When someone we love is suffering, we can feel utterly helpless. We long to trust God, but frustration creeps in when healing doesn’t come, and exhaustion from caregiving on an empty tank weighs us down. Where can we find the hope and peace God promises in His Word? Today, Jim welcomes author, entrepreneur, and career coach Camille Block to discuss her new book, Hope for Secondhand Suffering: Tool...

Those of us who have been married for more than a few years understand that while marriage is wonderful it can also be frustrating, lonely, and, at times, HARD - but it doesn’t have to be hard all the time! Today, Jim welcomes back author and speaker Arlene Pellicane to discuss her brand new book, Making Marriage Easier . Jim and Arlene unpack the 4 key decisions you can make within your marriage...

Husbands, are you aware that your wife has unique sexual needs? Wives, do you recognize that your husband does too? And married couples—are you even talking about it? According to today’s guests, Dr. Gary and Barbie Rosberg, many couples don’t. But open communication and understanding each other’s needs are essential for a satisfying sex life and a thriving marriage. Join Jim as he explores the di...

Jim Burns founded HomeWord in 1985, and we are constantly amazed at what God has done since then! As each new generation begins their parenting journey, we strive to meet their needs - and boy, some of their needs are very different from when we began 40 years ago. With the rise of technology, questions around gender ideology, and the decline of faith-focused homes, how are we adapting? Today, Jim...

“We become our habits, and our kids become us. This is why habits of the household are the most spiritually formative thing parents do.” Today, Jim welcomes writer, speaker, and lawyer Justin Whitmel Earley to speak about, what Jim has called, one of the best parenting books he has ever read: Habits of The Household . Throughout this revelatory conversation, Jim and Justin discuss the beauty of da...

“Is technology bringing my family together or pushing my family apart?”  Technology is such an integral part of society that it can worm its way into our lives without much notice - but if we really ponder this question, are we content with our answer? Today, Jim welcomes Dr. Alice Benton back to the show with an insightful Q&A all about our digital use as families. Dr. Alice is a licensed cli...

For those of us with teens on the verge of leaving for college, it’s understandable that our prayer for them is that they will stand strong in their faith once out of our sight. We hope they will keep and honor the values they were raised with - but what if they don’t? Today, Jim welcomes Sean McDowell to discuss his book, Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith . Se...

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘discipline’? Depending on how you were raised, that word can bring up all kinds of memories and emotions! Too often the word discipline is synonymous with punishment but are they actually the same thing? Today, Jim welcomes Embracing Your Season podcast host and licensed mental health counselor Paige Clingenpeel back to the show to discuss the nuance of...

Struggling to find your footing in marriage? Feeling lonely, misunderstood, or like your relationship is at a crossroads? You’re not alone. Even marriages of 30+ years face truly tough seasons, grief, and moments of uncertainty. In this episode, Jim sits down with Ron and Nan Deal - seasoned veterans of marriage who’ve faced these challenges head-on and come out stronger. Ron, a marriage and famil...

Parenting often feels like a whirlwind, leaving little time to recognize the valuable lessons we’re learning along the way - mostly because those lessons don't become clear until we have a moment of quiet reflection (a rare occurrence until the kids leave the house!). In this episode, Jim sits down with author and podcast host Sarah Bragg to explore the personal growth that unfolds as we navi...