HomeWord with Jim Burns

On today’s episode of HomeWord, Jim welcomes back author, speaker, and good friend Doug Fields to discuss his book, Intentional Parenting . Life moves quickly and it’s easy to fall into a parenting pattern that lacks intentionality - most of the time you’re just trying to make it through the day! However, Jim and Doug want to make it clear that when parents believe and accept that they are the mos...

What is your “Reflex Reaction”? When unexpected circumstances arise (as they so often do), do you react with joy and thankfulness or do you respond with irritation, grumbling, and complaining? Throughout the Bible we are instructed, and commanded, to rejoice always . But how do we do that when we are confronted with sickness, grief, and other things we can’t change? As we head into Thanksgiving we...

Today’s episode of HomeWord is Part 2 with renowned psychologist, author, and leadership consultant Dr. John Townsend called Ask The Expert . In a special twist on our usual interview style, Jim and John roleplay a teenager and parent Q & A with common questions your teens may be asking. Jim and John go back and forth displaying how attitude, compromise, negotiation and being curious (aka aski...

Navigating the pre-teen and teen years is an…adventure. Whether your child is approaching this stage or currently putting you through your paces, Jim’s conversation with renowned psychologist, author, and leadership consultant Dr. John Townsend is full of insight into this tumultuous season of parenting. Focusing on John’s book Boundaries with Teens, they discuss how our children should first be v...

I think it’s safe to assume that most of us desire a marriage of intimacy. We long to be close to our spouse emotionally, spiritually, and physically - all God-given desires. But as Jim and author, speaker, pastor, and comedian Ted Cunningham point out, that doesn’t mean it’s easy! Our marriages must be approached with intention. You can’t keep waking up each day, doing the same things, and expect...

Today, Jim welcomes back author and speaker Arlene Pellicane to discuss the top 9 questions she’s asked about screen time and kids from her book Screen Kids: 5 Relational Skills Every Child Needs in a Tech-Driven World. From when to give kids a phone to how your child handles friendship without social media, from video games in the home to opposing parental opinions, from well-intentioned gifts fr...

If your kids or spouse came to you and said “I feel like you give your phone more attention than me” , would you be able to take it? Would it spur you to examine your digital use and make a change? On today’s episode of HomeWord, Jim welcomes author and speaker Arlene Pellicane to discuss her book Screen Kids: 5 Relational Skills Every Child Needs in a Tech-Driven World . Learn some of the science...

I f you had the opportunity to heal, would you take it? It might seem like a silly question, but often, we become so accustomed to our pain, suffering, or grief that it feels like a part of who we are. Yet, true healing requires a conscious decision to pursue it. Today, Jim talks with renowned author, speaker, and founder of New Life Ministries, Stephen Arterburn, about his book Healing Is A Choic...

Can parents combat the constant barrage of negative messaging our children receive from school, social media, and societal pressures? Though it seems like an uphill battle, there is hope! Today, Jim welcomes speaker, therapist, and best-selling author Dr. Chinwé Williams to discuss her book, Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection. Together, they explore...

Have you ever felt like you and your spouse are more like roommates? Maybe five years ago, before this job, or before having kids, your relationship felt strong and emotionally connected. But now, things feel flat, distant, and maybe even a bit hopeless. If that sounds familiar, we have great news—this episode is for you! And more importantly, you're not alone. Even marriage experts Greg and...

As parents, we devote at least two decades to raising our children so they can go off into the world as (hopefully) confident, kind, and capable individuals. It’s easy for our identity to get wrapped up in parenthood, but we eventually have to confront who we are once the kids are gone - and that can be intimidating. Jim welcomes author, speaker, and marriage coach Jill Savage to talk about her bo...

Studies show that Gen-Z is the loneliest generation despite the pervasiveness of technology. However, loneliness isn't new; it can be experienced by a single person, a married individual, a person in a church community - even in families. So how do we keep this experience from evolving into a lifelong condition? Jim welcomes author, speaker, and founder of Ruth Graham Ministries, Ruth Graham...

Blended families are a beautiful picture of hope after loss or pain. Two adults find themselves falling in love again and the possibilities seem endless! But - how does blending your family actually work? How do you navigate stepsiblings, former in-laws, money, and parenting? On today’s episode, Jim welcomes renowned blended-family expert Ron Deal to talk about the principles in his book, Building...

Sometimes you hear a story that plants seeds of change in your life. It challenges you, encourages you, takes root in your heart and mind - and you can sense that God wanted you to hear it at this moment. Jim’s conversation with Megan Fate Marshman; speaker, author, and teaching pastor is one that left our team profoundly impacted. With discussions on grief, trust, suffering, and humility, we beli...

Have you fallen into a negative thinking pattern when it comes to your marriage? Are you praising your spouse in your mind or are you focusing on the things they do “wrong”? While this is not uncommon, it is a pattern that will not change unless you catch it, address it, and alter it. Jim welcomes writer, author, and speaker Ted Lowe to discuss this concept from his book, Us in Mind: How Changing...

“We should not be ashamed to discuss what God was not ashamed to create.” - Howard Hendricks.  This is the third installment of our Sexual Integrity series. Today, Jim welcomes Dr. Juli Slattery; a clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and the president/co-founder of Authentic Intimacy. This episode focuses on addressing our personal views on sexual integrity. Did we grow up with the topic of se...

This is the second installment of our Sexual Integrity series! Today, Jim is joined by the Parent Engagement Director at Northpoint Community Church and co-author Erin Mashaw to discuss their new book, A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity . By looking back at “purity culture” and the unintended ramifications of that movement, Jim and Erin explain what Sexual Integrity means for kids and teens tod...

Talking to your kids about sex might feel like a low priority for parents, especially when we hope they'll wait until marriage. However, research shows that positive, value-centered conversations about sex lead to less promiscuity and confusion among children. In today's episode, Jim encourages parents to teach their children about sexual integrity. When kids understand their worth comes...

Did you know that your child’s worldview is practically fully formed by age 13? As followers of Christ, we bear a tremendous responsibility to teach our children not only to know and follow Jesus but also to understand the profound reasons behind their faith. On today’s episode, Jim welcomes renowned researcher and author Dr. George Barna to discuss the vital importance of raising our children wit...

On today’s episode of HomeWord, Jim welcomes renowned family coaches Barbara & Gary Rosberg to discuss their updated and re-released book, 6 Secrets to a Lasting Love (formerly Divorce-Proof Your Marriage). Barb and Gary share some vulnerable moments throughout their marriage and how God used these situations to transform them as individuals and their relationship by extension. This conversati...

Many of our listeners will know today’s esteemed guest Dr. Gary Chapman for his life-changing book, The 5 Love Languages . He recently released a new book called 5 Traits of a Healthy Family   which is a perfect fit for our mission here at HomeWord - and Jim couldn’t wait to share it with you! Listen in as Jim and Gary discuss what a “healthy” family actually means, how simple acts of service can...

“Sex is fun. Sex is created by God. Sex is pleasurable. Sex can be complicated. Sex is deeply intimate. It’s sacred.” Buckle up, guys - we’re going there! Jim welcomes Lucille Williams back to the podcast to discuss her book, The Intimacy You Crave: Straight Talk About Sex & Pancakes. No matter the stage you’re at in your marriage, making time for intimacy is crucial to your relational health....

Don’t let the title fool you - we cover so much more than prayer within your marriage in today’s episode! Jim welcomes author, speaker, and friend Jodie Berndt to the show as they dive into some of the most important practices for a fun, healthy marriage: from “leaving and cleaving” to identifying communication styles, from having great sex to bringing prayer into your relationship, this conversat...

Here at HomeWord, one of our goals is to provide you with practical, actionable tips for strengthening your marriage - which is why we ensure the guests you hear on this show are some of the top in their field. Our special guest best-selling author and professor of psychology Dr. Les Parrott is no exception, as Jim and he discuss how an awareness of yourself and others is one of the keys to a heal...

While slammed doors and the silent treatment will probably happen in your home at some point during the teen years (it’s not personal, it’s part of your teen’s job description!), learning how to communicate with your teen is absolutely possible! Get ready to take notes as Jim welcomes fellow podcast host and licensed mental health counselor Paige Clingenpeel as they discuss how to encourage conver...