New Life Live

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jacqui reflects on a therapy program’s 40th anniversary at the school where she works and the importance of taking responsibility for our healing, as (James 2:17) states: “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” What is an intervention? When is the right time to do an intervention with my alcoholic daughter? Are there any precautions to take? In...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Pastor and author Max Lucado joins us to discuss his newest book and explains how the story of Elijah demonstrates the power of prayer. Elijah was human, just as we are, and God wants us to bring our concerns to Him. We should always choose prayer rather than despair. What does it mean to wrestle in prayer? I recently read one of Max Lucado’s devotionals, and it...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Alice discusses how screens and AI chatbots can draw children into unsafe situations, including harmful relationships and even suicide. Parents and grandparents can help by setting healthy screen boundaries and staying connected with children online and offline. I retired in April after 47 years of marriage and 35 years as a truck driver. I feel like I have a...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill shares how her husband was recently ill and how she had to do a lot of work she normally wouldn’t have to do. Each morning, she chooses gratitude. Our feelings, actions, and thoughts don’t always align in relationships, but we can choose to do the right thing through mutual serving and submission. I live in Canada, and I have an 11-year-old son. I lightl...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Alice discusses how Christians can respond with grace and compassion toward those who experience same-sex attraction. If you have a family member who struggles with same-sex attraction, offer a listening ear and create space for honest, faith-filled conversations. How do I get over my ex-husband? We divorced in 2020, and he now has a live-in girlfriend, but I...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jacqui shares that many men carry overwhelming anxiety when they feel responsible for everyone and everything, which can lead to micromanaging. Micromanaging isn’t always about control–it can be anxiety disguised as leadership. I listened to Dr. Jacqui share on July 24 about having a friend who is sensitive to perfume. I wanted to let her know about NAE...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Is technology bringing your family closer together or further apart? Dr. Jim shares digital wellness tips and biblical principles for healthier family relationships. My girlfriend’s son was murdered by his friend. Later, my son started dating the daughter of the murderer, but he eventually broke up with her. How do we deal with this? I’m a pastor and...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Marc shares that depending on one’s attachment style, each person may respond differently to change. Growth always requires a risk. If you’re stuck in a relational cycle of doom, where will you be a year from now? Should I stay in a 36-year marriage when my husband keeps giving his family members money without discussing it with me? Yesterday, I discovered...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill discusses parental PTSD and how a hijacked nervous system can lead to catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, and rumination. If you struggle with parental PTSD, ask yourself: When did I first feel this way before becoming a parent? I sold my home and invested in building a new home with my fiancé, but he didn’t contribute financially, and the home was destro...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Marc shares how to respond when you feel frustrated. Instead of just expressing frustration, identify what you’re really feeling. Discover the emotional need beneath your frustration and what you need to resolve it. My sister and I are in our 80s and 90s. I’m in counseling, but where do I start to begin healing the broken relationship with my sister?...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Becky discusses an article circulating online that asks: Are therapists to blame for family estrangement? About one-third of families believe a therapist influenced the decision. However, most therapists do not encourage family estrangement. Our 24-year-old son is home from college and thinks he can do whatever he wants. We’re trying to set healthy boundaries, bu...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jim shares that while speaking last week, he reflected on the Los Angeles fires last year. His brother lost his home. In difficult times, he reminds us that one of the best ways to persevere is to deepen our spiritual roots and stay grounded in faith. My daughter found her 14-year-old son’s journal and discovered he wants to change his gender. What can she do...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Alice shares a recent moment when she felt disrespected by one of her children. Instead of reacting, she used the Comfort Circle to create space for connection and understanding. If you’re struggling with a child who’s disobeying you, use gentle curiosity. I was walking with my friend and noticed she seemed very paranoid. She is involved in ministry, has a so...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Alice shares that she came from a family that did not meet her emotional needs. So with her spouse and children, she tells them that she needs to hear them say they love her. Whenever the people I’m in a relationship with did three things I didn’t like, I’d ghost them. So it was three strikes, and they were out. But God spoke to me about how I’d feel if I was...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill shares about a recent baby shower, where guests were asked to give advice to the mom-to-be. Children learn from their primary caregivers. As parents remain calm and create a safe environment, children learn how to self-regulate. I heard the story that when I was just 18 months old, when my sibling was born, I was sent to live with my grandparents for a f...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Alice asks an important question: What is your default response when you become emotionally dysregulated? While everyone experiences emotional dysregulation, many of us fall into unhealthy coping patterns. Learning to recognize and understand your reactions is the first step toward emotional healing and healthier relationships. What does it mean to be indepen...

Caller Questions & Discussion: JJ shares the story of hockey player Claude Lemieux, who recently died by suicide after struggling with sex addiction. JJ then reflects on the story of the woman caught in adultery in the Bible (John 8), reminding us that we’re all sinners, and Jesus did not condemn her. My husband has been divorced from his ex-wife for 28 years. She recently texted him and said...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Becky shares how the apostle Paul wrote Philippians while imprisoned, reminding believers to focus on God even in difficult circumstances. In Philippians 4:8, Paul writes, “Fix your thoughts on what is true…” Becky asks listeners an important question: What is imprisoning you? We went to visit my daughter’s new baby and tried to respect their strict boundar...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jacqui discusses how we often wait for other people to make us feel valued, important, and cared for. If you’re waiting for someone else to give you a sense of priority or feeling frustrated because you think someone should have considered your needs, ask yourself: When was the last time you considered you? I’ve been estranged from my adult daughter for two-a...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jim discusses how building walls through defensiveness, denial, isolation, and passive-aggressive behavior can damage our relationships. If you’ve been putting up walls, it may be time to start tearing them down. Boundaries shouldn’t build up walls; they should build structure. My wife is struggling with severe nerve pain, and we feel like we’re not bei...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Chris discusses Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3. The principles in these passages have helped Chris guide his boys. When we curate God’s goodness, it helps us see the things that truly matter. Trust God, and do good. I’ve had some hurts, habits, and hang-ups over the years. I don’t want to think about the past or return to it because I’ve struggled with drug abuse...

Caller Questions & Discussion: JJ shares how he recently came home from a trip and discovered an ominous smell in his fridge coming from old food. He reflects on how, so often in life, things are rotting. Sometimes we have habits that grow stale; other times we have relationships that are developing unhealthy patterns. My 33-year-old daughter is isolated and deeply focused on her desire to mar...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Marc shares about some of the challenges he faced growing up in London during his childhood in government housing, where he experienced violence. He asks: What’s the part of your life you’ve been hoping would be left behind, but you know you’re still carrying with you today? I’m divorced from my husband, who was abusive and is a pastor. Since I covered up the abu...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Sheri explains how co-regulation is experienced as we share our story or become a safe place for others to share. When we share what’s really going on, we regulate our nervous system, reduce isolation, build emotional intimacy, and discover our feelings. I’ve struggled with anxiety and fear for six years after I started having intense dreams. When I tri...

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill discusses how a bench she had was worn down by water dripping over time. Unfortunately, her dad sat on it and fell. She asks, “What pours into your life? What’s the constant drip in the back of your mind? Are they negative thoughts?” I’ve suffered with depression for 14 years and have tried to commit suicide 11 times. What can we do to help my 11-year-ol...