Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast

Worship leader and songwriter Isaac Immanuel shares his powerful story of faith in the midst of suffering. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare brittle bone disease that has resulted in hundreds of fractures and dozens of surgeries, Isaac has learned to see weakness as a platform for God’s strength. In this conversation, he opens up about living with disability, stepping out in faith to embra...

Stephanie Daniels, our host of the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast, is gearing up for Season 8. Join her each week this summer to hear from inspiring guests who will encourage you right where you are. Whether you're looking for practical ways your church can embrace people living with disability, you are personally facing a new disability or diagnosis, or you serve as a caregiver, you’ll discove...

Author, speaker, and Bible teacher, Jennifer Rothschild joins host Stephanie Daniels to share her story of literally walking by faith and not by sight. Since losing her sight at age 15, Jennifer hasn’t let blindness stop her from seeing and sharing God’s goodness. You will be encouraged by their conversation and reminded to trust God even when life doesn’t look like what you planned. And that God’...

Amber Smith, wife of former country music artist, Granger Smith joins Stephanie Daniels to share about her book, The Girl on the Bathroom Floor: Held Together when Everything is Falling Apart. Amber shares her deeply personal experience of losing her three-year-old son, River, and God’s faithfulness to her in the pit of despair. Her story will encourage you to hold onto the hope that God is near,...

Dr. Jason Kolb and his wife Amy know firsthand about unexpected turns in life. In January 2023 Jason took a wrong turn at high speed while skiing and landed at the bottom of a 20-foot drop. As an ER doctor, Jason knew he was paralyzed from the chest down and had broken several ribs. Jason and Amy join Stephanie Daniels to share their journey of discovering God's sufficient grace in ways they never...

Shawn Thornton, our Joni and Friends President and Chief Ministry Officer returns to the podcast to share his experience and insight on disability ministry in the church. Raised with disability in his immediate family, Shawn has a unique perspective on how the church should care for people who live with disability. Hear how God has used his personal experience to grow him as a pastor and prepare h...

Shawn Thornton is the President and Chief Ministry Officer of Joni and Friends, an international non-profit organization founded by Joni Eareckson Tada that offers hands-on help and Gospel hope to people living with disabilities. With decades of pastoral experience, Shawn most recently served as Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California where he supported the develo...

Vaneetha Risner is no stranger to suffering. Having lived through polio, the loss of a child, and multiple miscarriages, she has wrestled with God and learned to trust in his goodness. Vaneetha joins Stephanie Daniels to share about her journey and how she has continued to hope in God through the darkness of deep pain. Their encouraging conversation will remind you that God sees you and reassure y...

Kay Warren, known for cofounding Saddleback Church with her husband, Pastor Rick Warren, joins Stephanie Daniels to discuss a deeply personal topic. Kay is the mother of three adult children, including Matthew who lost his life to suicide at age 27 after years of chronic depression. Having walked beside her son through his suffering, and survived the anguish of his death, Kay has experienced first...

Army Chaplain and special needs dad Matt McCraney joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about how the body of Christ can better embrace people living with disabilities. Bringing personal, biblical, and academic perspectives, Matt identifies barriers that keep disabled people from finding their places of belonging in the church and he offers practical ways Christians can better demonstrate the love of Je...

Lars Nelson, a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet, joins Stephanie Daniels to share about his faith journey, career, and passion to see people with disabilities served and included by the church. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he began dance training at the age of 11, studied at the School of American Ballet, then joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in 2011. He is...

Author, speaker, and special needs mom Jess Ronne joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about her family’s story of beauty emerging from the ashes. She also offer insight into tangible ways to support families facing difficult seasons. Jess is the founder of The Lucas Project, named after her son with profound disabilities, which provides recognition and respite for parent caregivers. She and her husban...

Meet special needs parents, business partners, and Christ-loving power couple Clifton (Cliff) and Lorraine Marshall. In an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Daniels, Cliff and Lorraine share about meeting on a blind date, forming a blended family, raising a child with a disability, and growing in faith—and love for one another—through life’s seasons and challenges. Tune in to be encouraged in...

Larah Roberts, a dedicated mom, wife, and Christ-centered disability advocate, joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about raising children with autism as thriving followers of Jesus. Larah shares from her own family’s experience and her wisdom as the founder of the organization Raising Autistic Disciples. Don’t miss Larah’s heartfelt encouragement for individuals, churches, and communities to fully inc...

Discover more about Joni’s heart on the ADA: Did The Americans With Disabilities Act Really Guarantee Change? | Joni and Friends At a celebratory reception after the signing of the ADA, Joni recalls hearing these words spoken by colleague Paul Hearne:  “[The ADA] will provide greater access to public accommodation. Wheelchair users will no longer have to be carried up the steps of a restaurant. An...

Learn more about Maggie Bushway and purchase your copy of her book, Pearls, A Memoir on Childhood Brain Cancer and Hope . Get your copy of Joni Eareckson Tada’s powerful book (one of Maggie’s favorites!), A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty . Receive biblical encouragement from Joni as you walk through cancer and other tough trials with her bo...

Abigail Brown has been living with dystonia since the age of three. You may remember her Season 3 podcast episode where she shares about living joyfully with dystonia. Abigail is the founder of Silent Inspirations, a creative studio that offers stationery and home decor based on her original artwork. To encourage women who feel alone or stuck, whether because of a disability or other challenges, A...

Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. And you can be part of making this vision a reality!  When you volunteer with Joni and Friends , you will transform lives by delivering hands-on help and the love of Jesus Christ to the people we serve. Find volunteer opportunities near you ! Join one of our Wheels fo...

Joni and Friends staff member Sarah Fuller returns to the podcast to share how, with three biological children of their own, she and her husband sensed God calling to also serve as foster parents. In conversation with Stephanie Daniels, Sarah tells how her whole family has taken part in loving and sheltering children in foster care, and welcomed a child with disabilities into their family permanen...

Joni and Friends staff member Sarah Fuller joins Stephanie Daniels to share her story of God’s faithfulness in calling her into missions, special education, and disability ministry. As a mom, Sarah has invited her children into service opportunities—often volunteering with Joni and Friends—which has shaped their hearts and the trajectories of their lives. Sarah shares how God uses everything from...

Joni and Friends team member Randy Schwartz joins Stephanie Daniels to share about coming to faith as an adult, being a special needs dad and devoted husband, and learning to trust God with all aspects of life. When his younger son was born with spina bifida, Randy and his wife turned to Jesus, relying on his grace day by day. Listen to our Season 6 conversation with Dr. Benjamin Warf , a neurosur...

Learn more about Mandy Meehan and her faith journey while seeking to heal from fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and other chronic conditions.  KEY QUESTIONS: Do you entrust your physical, emotional, and spiritual weakness to God?  Are you willing to talk about your struggles with a trusted person/people in your life?  How can you rest in the Lord today, trusting in his biblical promises?  KEY SCRIPTURE...

Learn more about Mandy Meehan and her faith journey while seeking to heal from fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and other chronic conditions. Discover more inspiring stories of God’s faithfulness amid difficult chronic illnesses: Living with Chronic Illness | Joni and Friends When Skies Aren’t Blue: A Doctor’s Journey to Hope Amid Chronic Illness | Joni and Friends KEY QUESTIONS: Where have you seen Go...

Struggling with mental health can be part of being human in a broken world. Disciples of Christ have never been promised a trouble-free life. As many faithful believers, including Joni Eareckson Tada, can attest, grappling with depression and other mental health challenges, and even crises, is often part of the Christian walk. Our guest today, Joni and Friends staff member Kali Lilienthal, shares...

If you are struggling with cancer, grief, or chronic pain, the journey can be arduous and seem unending. During her most difficult seasons, most recently coping with cancer, Roberta has found peace in words from the Lord’s Prayer, “…Give us this day our daily bread.” Today, as you or those close to you face hardships—especially lasting ones—spend time centering your heart by trusting God to provid...