The Next Right STEPS Podcast

Adults can give all the advice they want on how to prevent teenagers from experimenting with drugs and alcohol, but that doesn't stop kids from coming across these temptations. Listening to youth who've experienced this struggle first-hand provides key insights to what goes through the mind of a teenager in the 21st century. Learn some crucial things to be aware of directly from a young person who...

Unfortunately, those who suffer from addiction also often have to deal with stigmatization in our society. This judgement does nothing for those dealing with a very real disease, and only creates an extra barrier for those trying to seek help. We discuss why stigmatizing those suffering from addiction is so harmful, and other ways to approach this familiar problem for so many families, here.

Parenting can often feel like a responsive role - helping our children grow as they come across life's new obstacles. But if we pay attention to certain traits ahead of time, we can use this information to help shape our child's future before the challenges grow too big. We took a closer look at some key characteristics that children often have, what they mean, and how to turn this knowledge into...

The Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular movie series of all times, and not just because everybody likes watching Orlando Bloom beat up orcs! The idea of finding our purpose in a story that is bigger than ourselves resonates both in the movies and in reality. Along the way, many trials will be faced - and how we respond helps to determine the outcome. We discuss this concept, and the beaut...

Even when we want to stop drinking, it's hard for many to picture what a life without alcohol would look like. But even in the tough moments of sobriety there are endless benefits to this decision. Our Executive Director, Steve Ward, has gone through this journey - and has experienced the positives that come with it first-hand. We take a closer look at what life before alcohol, life during alcohol...

Parents want to see the best for our children, but even our best intentions can actually have a negative impact if we aren't careful. Many parents make the same mistakes - it's nothing to be ashamed of. But learning how to avoid these common occurrences can do wonders for our children. Learn more with this podcast from STEPS Ministries.

Wanting to be successful in business is a perfectly normal goal, but many people who make this their life's mission show signs of addiction. Whether it's becoming a workaholic or being overly controlling, there are plenty of symptoms to be aware of. We discuss a few things to know about the cost of high achievement here.

We live in a society where downtime is seen as a reward for hard work, and that's certainly not a bad thing! But too much downtime can lead to problems as well. Should parents be thoughtful about downtime their children face with holidays and the summer? Yes. Can too much free time cause issues for adults? Yes again.  Downtime can be a very good thing, so it's worth some thought to keep it that wa...

Are we all addicted to something?  To some degree, yes. Addiction is when we keep doing things even though they have negative consequences. And we find ourselves unable to stop that harmful behavior. Steve Ward, our Executive Director, discusses the various aspects of addiction and how to address these concerns.

All parents want to protect their kids from harm and for them to have happy lives. The question is: "How?" The acronym "P-A-C-E-S" is a tool to help parents know what to do. Learn more here.

The journey from teenager to adult looks different for everyone, and it can be stressful to watch our children struggle with the temptations that occur during this stage. We can't control every aspect of our kids' lives, and that's for the better. What we can do is use empathy to better understand them so we can help them grow into the person they are meant to be. Because that is more important th...

We all have our own spiritual journey. The 5 STEPS are a guide that can help you better understand this process of spiritual growth.  At the same time, you can improve the quality of life and find more peace, joy, and purpose.  Whether you pay attention to your spiritual journey or choose to ignore it will affect virtually every other aspect of your life. Life can be better, one step at a time. 

Part 1 of this series showed 3 ways in which white collar professionals face risk from substance abuse. Unfortunately, there are 3 more areas we need to talk about.     White-collar addiction occurs in virtually every company, especially with high-achievers. The good news is that there are things that can be done to prevent it.  For anyone in the workforce, this is something worth thinking about

Addiction only happens to lower-income people, not professionals with important-sounding jobs who make lots of money. Right? Wrong. Substance abuse occurs in every group of people. And, in many ways, white collar professionals are actually at higher risk! No matter what you do for a living, this is something worth thinking about.  

You may not consider yourself to be an author, but we're all writing our own unique life stories. Full of drama, defeat, and victory—it's a book worth reading!  See a video featuring Meredith Stone, a member of the STEPS Ministries team, as she talks more about "Writing Your Life Story." Because the next chapter could be the best one yet.

Many parents want to control their kids, whether they realize it or not. But there's a problem with that approach—in the long run, it won't work!   But you are a strong influence on them. The key is to find the right balance to guide them and set boundaries while allowing them to develop who they are.  You can be a great parent. Without trying to control your kids.

You have a world view, a way of thinking that guides all that you do and the choices you make. Have you ever thought about what it is? Check out the short video featuring Gunnar Sadowey, a young member of the STEPS Ministries team. Then, listen to a podcast or read the full article to learn more. Because the way you think about the world changes everything. 

Being high-functioning doesn't mean you don't have an alcohol or addiction problem, but it can prevent you from seeking help. Our founder, Steve Ward, knows this from first-hand experience. After decades of being a high-functioning alcoholic, he realized something had to change. Steve shares his story, and the lessons learned, here. Please share with those who may be in need of this information.

It is within your control to improve your life emotionally, spiritually, and personally. Pause and think about that. Because you can live life better, better handle any issues you have, and grow closer to God. All at the same time!     But it won't happen by itself, and it's up to you to take the next right step.

It is within your control to improve your life emotionally, spiritually, and personally. Pause and think about that. Because you can live life better, better handle any issues you have, and grow closer to God. All at the same time!     But it won't happen by itself, and it's up to you to take the next right step.

These days, there are many risks that kids and teenagers may face in life. Most parents desperately want to protect them from those dangers.     But we can't control our kids or be with them everywhere they go.  What can parents do? We can apply some simple, yet powerful, principles that will keep our kids safe. By helping them learn to protect themselves.

The path to addiction often goes through a predictable series of phases.  You are likely close to someone moving in that direction. And they may not know how their thinking and choices are changing.    But if people develop awareness of the behavior or addiction, they may make better choices. Perhaps there is someone you can help. Or maybe this article is for you. 

Many parents are confused these days about how to deal with vaping.  I get that, because there's not one perfect answer. But there are some things you should consider, and we'll go through them in this article. Whether you think your kids will vape or not, you need to be proactive and think it through. If they try it, you'll be ready. If they don't, you'll be more prepared for what they do try.