Lessons from Living

From a young age, Jay Shifman's mental health issues were addressed medically, setting him up for a spiral into addiction, multiple suicide attempts and overdose.  But the story doesn't end there.  Jay courageously advocated for his own recovery, and lived to tell the story.  Today, Jay takes the wisdom he gained, and shares with the world about mental health issues, substance misuse and addiction...

Inspired by her niece's compassionate response to children living with cancer, Sheila Duncan brought to life an imperfect, playful dog character named "Trouble." Today, Trouble is the star of three children's books, as well as a plush toy which has made its way into the arms of children experiencing trauma everywhere: Shriners Hospitals for Children, The Ronald McDonald House, and Children's Mirac...

As we begin a new year, Beth refuses to allow those negative things plaguing our country--censorship, selected curation and dissemination of information, and calls to "lower our expectations" to define our America.  She challenges her audience to not fall into complacency regarding these aberrations, but to join her in maintaining great expectations for a great country.

A child grows up thinking the life she leads, in which she is abused nearly daily, and used as a commodity by those she trusts, is the way everyone lives.  Around 200,000 children are exploited by sex traffickers in the United States annually, and nearly 50% of these victims suffer at the hands of family they know and love.  This is familial sex trafficking, and if you think it couldn’t be happeni...

Jeff Le knows something about Afghanistan, having worked and served there, alongside Afghani friends and allies.  We discuss the withdrawal, the peril his friends remain in, the future of Afghanistan, and refugee life, seen through the eyes of a man whose family exited Vietnam during Saigon's fall.

Kristy Thomas has encountered adversity in life, but counters it with positivity and a plan.  As an independent woman who values relationships, she has traveled extensively, maintained interesting hobbies, and generously shared her time and talents with others. Kristy is nothing short of fascinating!

In this highly charged political climate, it has become more difficult than ever before to seek out common ground.  Beth discusses our charge as followers of Jesus, or simply someone seeking peace, and offers a way forward in our quest to love our neighbors.

As we near the anniversary of Karen Stover Graham's passing, Beth remembers her sister-in-love, and shares what lessons from living Karen taught everyone blessed to know her.

Josh and Meagan Smith have brought their "mission-mindedness" home with them from the mission field, to continue their work as disciples in a more familiar terrain.  What does living a mission-minded life look like, stateside?  We explore what it means to listen to the Holy Spirit, how to continue ministering with small children, what brings them hope in today's contentious world, and so much more...

Seventy-six year old Jay Conner teaches us how to be active in both body and mind, by focusing on "not letting the old man in."

Having educated children by homeschooling, and both public and private schools, Beth shares her perspective: with all eyes on education in the nation, it's time to rethink our present system, with only our children's best interest in mind.

Darkness has such a hold on a young man that he decides to end it all.  A moment later, everything changes.  What happened?  Wesley Bartlett shares his story of how a "chance" meeting with his creator dramatically changed his life, showing how no one is beyond the compassion of God's grace.

Perhaps everyone reaches a point in their life when they have to go one of two ways, and the results will be nothing short of life-changing.  What do you do?  Take the easy, sure path, or venture out into the unknown?  At 37, John Morse decided to become a doctor.  Is it even possible to get into med school at 37?  For John, there was no looking back; only forward with courage.  Let me introduce y...

Aging Americans have an experience that is unique to America; other countries do not treat their elders like we do in America. Our culture of glorified youth does not value our elders. No wonder, then, that our senior population does not feel empowered to contribute to society! It's time to alter our culture to take advantage of our most undervalued resource: our senior population.

Three weeks before graduating college, Callan was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma, requiring six months of brutal chemotherapy.  At twenty-three, she is a writer, artist, and tough-as-nails survivor.  Hear what kept her going, and why she proclaims one name as the reason she is victor, through every trial and joy of life.

Joey Lankford, of Cul2vate, a program dedicated to growing food and growing people, offers us a picture of what life committed to God's vision looks like: what are you willing to give up to follow God's heart for your life?

Twenty-three year old Will Reynolds talks about his decision to be tested as a potential donor match in order to give friend, Ben Rankin, a kidney.  We discuss the process, his family, and what motivated him to go forward.

What does selflessness look like in today's world?  We share a remarkable tale of heroism, and and ponder what motivates the selfless. How do you raise children who are selfless?  Is there a connection between suffering and selflessness?