FamilyLife Today®
FamilyLife Today is a weekday podcast that offers engaging conversations aimed at helping families grow together in their faith and relationships. Hosted by the FamilyLife Network, it provides practical advice and biblical insights for marriage, parenting, and family life. The show features interviews with experts and real-life stories to encourage listeners in their most important relationships.
Episodes
Try Harder isn't the Answer: Straight Talk on Performance & Perfectionism in Marriage--Portia Collins
Perfectionism in marriage can make home feel more like a performance review than a relationship. On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Portia Collins about the pressure to get everything right—and the freedom that comes when undeserved kindness replaces relentless effort. Through humor, honesty, and the book of Galatians, Portia shares how walking by the Spirit reshapes marriage
Stop Performing for God: Portia Collins
Ever feel exhausted trying to be “good enough” for God? On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson sit down with Portia Collins for a funny, raw conversation about legalism, perfectionism, and the night a Galatians Bible study wrecked her life—in the best way possible. Between Marvel talk and gaming stories, Portia unpacks how grace finally broke through years of guilt, striving, a
The Long Game Matters: Real Talk about Step Grandparenting--Ron Deal
Grandparenting is sweet. Step Grandparenting? That can get complicated fast. On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Ron Deal about blended-family holidays, divided loyalties, awkward beginnings, and the long game of building trust with step-grandkids. From Captain America costumes to painful Christmas memories, this conversation hits the real tensions families carry—and how undes
Don Everts on Truly Loving Your Community
“What’s it look like to love my community?” Don Everts helps you get intentional about your relationship to your neighborhood, caring in ways that matter. Show Notes and Resources Host a high-impact church event without starting from scratch by using code STRONGFAMILIES between June 16–30 to get a FREE video-based study and planning support when you buy 10+ workbooks go to
Don Everts on the Power of Community
Author Don Everts knows what it’s like to feel disconnected in your own neighborhood. But he also knows why community is critically important. Show Notes and Resources Host a high-impact church event without starting from scratch by using code STRONGFAMILIES between June 16–30 to get a FREE video-based study and planning support when you buy 10+ workbooks go to shop.familylife.com Fin
5 Must-Have Conversations With Your Son (+ One to Avoid): Jerrad Lopes
Every dad hopes his words stick. But what does your son actually need to hear from you? Jerrad Lopes, author of Dad Tired, shares five conversations every father should have—and one phrase to avoid. Show Notes and Resources Host a high-impact church event without starting from scratch by using code STRONGFAMILIES between June 16–30 to get a FREE video-based study and planning support
Intentional Fatherhood: Jerrad Lopes & Bobby Markham
Simple yet meaningful activities can quickly turn fatherhood from a struggle to an overnight success. Jerrad Lopes and Bobby Markham give practical advice for parents seeking to reconnect with their children through repentance, presence, and consistent effort. Show Notes and Resources Host a high-impact church event without starting from scratch by using code STRONGFAMILIES between June 16–
Jerrad Lopes: The Silent Struggle of Fatherhood
Jerrad Lopes, founder of "Dad Tired," is exhausted. There's a silent struggle of fatherhood marked with feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. Jared shares how vulnerability, community, and faith can have a profound impact on dads who need help. Show Notes and Resources Host a high-impact church event without starting from scratch by using code STRONGFAMILIES between June 16–30 to get a FRE
Parenting Through Trauma Without Losing Yourself: Peter Mutabazi
Why do your kids trigger reactions you swore you'd never repeat? On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson welcome back Peter Mutabazi for a truthful conversation about parenting wounds, trauma, and staying calm when emotions explode. Peter shares practical wisdom from raising more than 40 foster children—including why safety, listening, and yeah, even ice cream sometimes matter more than lec
Loving Kids From Hard Places: A Foster Parenting Story--Peter Mutabazi
What happens when a boy once called “garbage” becomes a father to more than 40 kids? On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Peter Mutabazi about trauma, foster care, forgiveness, and the gritty reality behind every foster parenting story. From poop-covered walls to late-night ice cream talks, Peter shares hard-earned wisdom for anyone wondering if love, patience, and faith
How to Break Generational Patterns--Even If You Didn’t Have a Good Dad: Dads Panel
On FamilyLife Today, Dave Wilson sits down with Brian Goins, Daron George, Jorge Rosario, and Bruce Goff for a truth-telling conversation about fatherhood, legacy, and what it takes to break generational patterns before they break your kids. From Holy Spirit nudges to hilarious parenting fails, these men talk real-world pressure, regret, obedience, and the small choices that quietly shape a family
Engagement over Ease: How Men Avoid Passivity and Choose Presence--Dads Panel
Ready to ditch your favorite fatherhood and marriage excuses? This panel of dads can change the way you show up at home—with small moves, real accountability, and no more hiding behind busyness or autopilot. Dave Wilson, along with Brian Goins, Jorge Rosario, Daron George, and Bruce Goff share about honest failures, practical accountability, and a push to choose engagement over ease. Show No
Dad Messed Up: A Gritty Guide to Balancing Work and Family--Dads Panel
Perfection can be a terrible leadership strategy for a home. In this honest men's panel, three dads open up about their biggest parenting regrets—from working too much to not being spiritually present—and the turning point when they stopped pretending to have it all together. They share powerful stories about balancing work and family, the importance of spiritual leadership through wea
Kia Stephens on Father Wound Healing
Could your father wound affect your marriage? Maybe it surfaces in struggling with trust, low self-esteem, or difficulty forming healthy boundaries. Kia Stephens helps you learn how to heal, using practical tools to overcome insecurities and find wholeness with God. Show Notes and Resources Host a high-impact church event without starting from scratch by using code STRONGFAMILIES between June 16&
Healing Father Wounds with Kia Stephens
Hurt, neglect, rejection, or abandonment from a father can feel like it tumbles into all of life. Author Kia Stephens gets real about her own painful path through father wounds--and how she began moving forward. Show Notes and Resources Host a high-impact church event without starting from scratch by using code STRONGFAMILIES between June 16–30 to get a FREE video-based study and planning s
How to Build Trust in Marriage: Six Practical Tools That Last--Samuel and Stephanie Rainey
Counselor Samuel Rainey and his wife Stephanie know the ins and outs of how to build trust in marriage. They share raw moments from their past, honest regret, and why real repair requires steady work—not quick fixes. They'll help you show up differently for an intimate, flourishing relationship. Show Notes and Resources Don't miss the boat on romance! Secure your spot on the Love Like You
Blended Family Dynamics: Practical Moves for Stepparent Success--Ron Deal
Ron Deal lays out the raw reality of blended family dynamics: like insiders vs. outsiders, why parenting becomes a hotspot, and what actually helps step parents survive and thrive. Ron uses plain stories, tough truths, and biblical reasoning to show why unity can make or break families. And he'll unpack you-got-this tips for bio parents can empower their spouses. Show Notes and Resources Don't m
Tim & Noreen Muehlhoff: Healthy Communication
Tim and Noreen Muehlhoff get practical about what healthy communication in marriage really looks like. Using stories from their marriage and a clear biblical frame, they explore expectations, acknowledgement, trust, and commitment—and why those pieces matter more than clever techniques. Show Notes and Resources Read more articles about communication in marriage Don't miss the boat on roman
When Adult Children Walk Away from Faith: Practical Moves for Waiting Parents
Bob Lepine delivers a clear, biblical conversation for parents facing the pain of adult children drifting from faith. He names the cultural pressure, the real emotional toll, and what steady faith looks like in the middle of searing uncertainty. Offering tough, honest, hope-anchored truth and practical posture shifts, Bob meets parents' raw questions without pretending to have easy answers. Show N
Personality Differences in Marriage: Turning Friction into Fuel--Mike & Dr. Juli Slattery
Author and psychologist Dr. Juli Slattery and her husband Mike get real about staying married when your personalities pull you apart. After 32 years and a candid counselor report, they share the hard-won wins and time-tested strategies. Juli and Mike share practical moves to turn daily friction into spiritual growth and closer, Christ-centered unity. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Juli
Gary Chapman’s Must-Read Advice for Teen Parents
Bestselling author and counselor Gary Chapman offers wise tips to help you push through the insanity of raising teens—toward relational vitality. Show Notes and Resources Get your copy of "Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Child Became a Teenager" in our shop Don't miss the boat on romance! Secure your spot on the Love Like You Mean It Marriage Cruise. Head over to lovelikeyoumeani
Gary Chapman on Decoding Your Teen’s True Desires
Gary Chapman gets the rollercoaster of parenting teens. Grab his thoughtful ideas to help you evolve alongside your kids in a critical stage of development. Show Notes and Resources Get your copy of "Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Child Became a Teenager" in our shop Don't miss the boat on romance! Secure your spot on the Love Like You Mean It Marriage Cruise. Head over to lovelikeyou
Gary Chapman’s Lessons Learned Before the Teen Years
No one feels prepared for raising teens. But you can do this! Author Gary Chapman reveals “What I wish I’d known”—and ways to redefine your relationship. Show Notes and Resources Get your copy of "Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Child Became a Teenager" in our shop Don't miss the boat on romance! Secure your spot on the Love Like You Mean It Marriage Cruise. Hea
Roblox & Red Flags: A Blueprint for Safe Gaming--Jonathan Ober & Frank Kuligowski
Think safe gaming means blocking bad websites? You might be missing the bigger picture. In the deep corners of the metaverse, people are drowning in isolation. Guests Jonathan Ober and Frank Kuligowski are using platforms like Roblox to save lives. It’s time to trade your parenting fear for curiosity and learn how to navigate these digital borderlands. Show Notes and Resources Learn how to
Leveling Up: The Wild Mission of Christian Gaming--Jonathan Ober & Frank Kuligowski
Your kids are living in digital worlds, but are they safe? More importantly, is anyone bringing light into those spaces? Jonathan Ober and Frank Kuligowski are stepping into VR Chat and the metaverse to meet isolated, searching people right where they are. Discover how to navigate online gaming safely as a family and, through Christian gaming, reach a subculture desperately looking for real connec
Protecting Your Marriage: John & Debra Fileta
How do we protect our marriages in a world that tries to pull us apart? John and Debra Fileta break down three main areas of needed protection and share invaluable advice from their own marriage. Show Notes and Resources Become a monthly partner with FamilyLife Today — your gift is matched for a full year (double your impact!) Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring
On Church Hurt--And Not Walking Away: Dave Harvey
You’ve been hit—perhaps by criticism, loss, church hurt—and part of you wants to shut down or fight back. But what if you’re missing what God’s doing in it? Dave Harvey pushes past easy answers, showing how weakness, enemies, and even unfair blows can expose what’s in you...and build something steadier than image, control, or approval. Show Notes and Resources
The Clay Pot Conspiracy: God's Plan to Use Weakness in Leaders--Dave Harvey
You’re trying to stay strong—for your family, your church, your calling. But the cracks are showing, and you’re not sure what to do with them. Dave Harvey, author of The Clay Pot Conspiracy: God's Plan to Use Weakness in Leaders, flips the script: what if your weakness isn’t the problem—but the point? This conversation digs into purpose within suffering and failure, a
Strong Stepfamilies Start with Strong Stepfathers | Ron Deal & Gil Stuart
Being a stepfather can feel like bathing cats with your hair on fire—but your thoughtful navigation of the dynamics in your home can make a difference that lasts for decades. Author Gil Stuart offers tips on stepfathering thoughtfully, and shaping the kind of family you all long for. Show Notes and Resources Become a monthly partner with FamilyLife Today — your gift is matched for a
Stepdad: The Unsung Hero | Ron Deal and Gil Stuart
Stepdad: It can be a role full of landmines--and at the same time, a role vital and unsung. Author Gil Stuart offers ideas to do it wholeheartedly and all-in within the complexities of your blended family. Show Notes and Resources Become a monthly partner with FamilyLife Today — your gift is matched for a full year (double your impact!) Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for
The Father’s House: A Conversation on What’s Holding You Back with Rachel Faulkner Brown & Karen McAdams
Is your relationship with God not what you thought it’d be? Podcasters Rachel Faulkner-Brown and Karen McAdams have ideas to help you find Father’s House—and live your life from that well-loved space. Show Notes and Resources Become a monthly partner with FamilyLife Today — your gift is matched for a full year (double your impact!) Thanks to the Christian Standa
The Missing Piece: A Conversation with Karen McAdams and Rachel Faulkner Brown.
Throughout her broken childhood, podcaster Karen McAdams sensed she was missing something. But even after coming to know God, her sprint from shame kept her away from the heart of God. Along with her co-host Rachel Faulkner-Brown, Karen shares part of her own story that fueled the duo’s new study, Father’s House: The Path that Leads Home. Show Notes and Resources Become a monthly par
Emotional Confidence: Managing Emotions with Science and Scripture--Alicia Michelle
You’re doing all the right things: faith, family, showing up. But underneath? You’re exhausted, reactive, and not sure why it keeps spilling out sideways. Podcaster and author Alicia Michelle gets into the roots most people avoid—how old wounds, buried emotions, and survival patterns quietly shape your marriage, parenting, and faith—and why ignoring them isn’t working
Why You’re Still Stuck--And the Emotional Intelligence Skills You Need: Alicia Michelle
You keep telling yourself, “I should be over this by now.” But the same anger, shutdowns, and quiet resentment keep leaking out—at home, at God, at the people you love most. Alicia Michelle, author of Emotional Confidence: Three Simple Steps to Manage Emotions with Science and Scripture, hands you practical emotional intelligence skills to finally deal with what’s underneat
Master Your Emotions (Even If You’ve Tried Everything): Alicia Michelle
You love Jesus—but your reactions still hijack your day, your marriage, your parenting. Alicia Michelle, author of Emotional Confidence: Three Simple Steps to Manage Emotions with Science and Scripture, gets why you feel stuck between what you know and what you feel. She'll help you name what’s really driving your emotions, and why willpower alone keeps failing. Show Notes and Resource
Brad Griffin: "What Difference Can I Make?" — Unlocking Teen Purpose & Impact
“What difference can I make?” Fuller Youth Institute’s Brad Griffin & Kara Powell help you answer teens’ big questions—and locate purpose they crave. Show Notes and Resources Become a monthly partner with FamilyLife Today — your gift is matched for a full year (double your impact!) Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode.
Brad Griffin: "Where Do I Fit In?" — Unlocking Teen Belonging & Community
“Where do I fit in?” Fuller Youth Institute’s Brad Griffin & Kara Powell offer connections to help teens find the belonging their souls are hunting. Show Notes and Resources Become a monthly partner with FamilyLife Today — your gift is matched for a full year (double your impact!) Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more a
Brad Griffin & Kara Powell: "Am I Enough?" — Unlocking Teen Identity & Self-Worth
After 1,200 interviews, Fuller Youth Institute’s Brad Griffin & Kara Powell offer conversations to navigate teens’ biggest questions--like, “Who am I?” Show Notes and Resources Become a monthly partner with FamilyLife Today — your gift is matched for a full year (double your impact!) Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Lea
Confessions of the Overwhelmed Mom: Panel Discussion
You really like your kids (most of the time). But the backtalk, crunchy kitchen floor, and nonstop "Mom!" can find you crying in the pantry. This raw Mother’s Day panel with Ann Wilson and other moms goes where most won’t—lost kids, short fuses, quiet guilt. It’s honest, unfiltered, and aimed straight at the overwhelmed mom wondering if she’s the only one muscling thr
Real Mom Advice: Welcome to the No Judgment Zone--Mom Panel Discussion
You’re running on a single REM cycle, behind on laundry, and wondering if you’re the only barely holding it together in the freezer aisle. This Mother’s Day panel with Ann Wilson and real moms ditches the filters—to talk about lost kids, lost tempers, lost control. It’s the kind of mom advice that doesn’t pretend you’ve got it handled, but meets you there
Stepping off the Performance Treadmill--into Identity in Christ: Andrea Griffith
Ever crush the to-do list and still feel invisible? Author Andrea Griffith goes after the ache underneath—wanting to be chosen, seen, enough. She'll help you listen through the noise of performance and people-pleasing to expose what’s really driving you. Get ready to sink into identity in Christ that doesn’t rise and fall with everybody else’s approval. Show Notes and Resou
Centering on Jesus When Life (and Shame) are Loud: Andrea Griffith
You know (most of) the right answers for your heart's questions—but laundry piles, secret shame, and nonstop noise keep drowning them out. Author Andrea Griffith gets brutally honest about hiding sin, chasing control, and what finally broke her cycle of shame. Rather than fronting a polished faith, find the space Scripture meets real life and freedom starts by dragging what’s hidden in
Parenting Children with Disabilities: Hope for the Hard--Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler
You didn’t plan this road...and some days it’s heavier than you can explain. Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler talk honestly about parenting children with disabilities: including the grief, the grit, and the quiet beauty most people miss. Emily and Laura don’t tidy it up, but they do point to a steadier way to carry what can feel impossible. Show Notes and Resources Ge your copy of
When Being Married Feels Like Roommates...With Kids: Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler
Marriage didn’t get easier when the kids came; it got louder, tighter, and easier to miss each other. Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler, authors of Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments, meet you there in survival-mode advice with honest, lived-in perspective. From overstimulation to quiet resentment, they name what’s real—and point toward a better way to stay on the sam
Hot Mess to Hopeful: Risen Motherhood for the Worst Days: Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler
You love your kids. But some days you lose it, replay it, and carry the weight. Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler, authors of Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments, meet you smack dab in the middle of your mess, not the highlight reel. They challenge the suffocating pressure to be the “ideal mom” and point to something far sturdier when your guilt, comparison, and chaos are hi
Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change--Abbey Wedgeworth
You swore you wouldn’t parent like that—and then it falls out of your mouth. Again: the reactions, the tone, the patterns you thought you escaped. Abbey Wedgeworth, author of Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change, gets brutally honest about where that comes from—and whether it can actually change. Abbey speaks to the fear you’re pa
Mom Shame: Why You’re Hiding (and What It’s Costing You): Abbey Wedgeworth
Mom shame doesn’t just whisper—it isolates. Maybe this looks like snapping, hiding, the “I’ll fix it myself” cycle. And meanwhile, you’re exhausted and still feel like you’re coming up short. Abbey Wedgeworth, author of Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change, names what’s really going on—behind the ange
The Mom Guilt Spiral--and a Way Out: Abbey Wedgeworth
Mom guilt hits fast—and it sticks. The yelling, the regret, the fear you’re doing damage you can’t undo. You love your kids… so why does it feel like you’re failing them daily? Abbey Wedgeworth, author of Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change, doesn’t dodge the mess. It walks straight into the anger, shame, and mental
Truth That Sets Your Daughter Free – Insights from Dannah Gresh
What lies might your daughter be buying into—that could change her life? Author Dannah Gresh chats about the power of a mom to protect and empower her daughter toward unmissable truths that set her free. Show Notes and Resources Connect with Dannah and find her books at dannahgresh.com, and be sure to catch to her podcast Intrigued by today's episode? Think more about the lies you
The Lies Girls Believe: Dannah Gresh
What are your daughter’s emotions telling you about her inner world? Author Dannah Gresh chats about the lies our girls believe, the powerful emotions they face, and how to deal in healthy ways with both. Show Notes and Resources Connect with Dannah and find her books at dannahgresh.com, and be sure to catch to her podcast Intrigued by today's episode? Think more about the lies you
Pain in Postpartum: How to Deal: Elisha and Kathryn Voetberg
Whether this you’re a first-time mom or a seasoned veteran, your struggles postpartum might be the same: Sleep deprivation. Healing. Body insecurity. Lack of sex. Expectations. Caring for yourself. Keeping a tiny human alive. Hormones. Kathryn and Elisha Voetberg provide ideas to navigate the biggest challenges of bringing a child into the world. Show Notes and Resources Connect with Elilsh
Elisha and Kathryn Voetberg: Now that We're a Family
Hungry for ideas to shape an intentional family from the ground up? Elisha and Kathryn Voetberg, podcast hosts of Now that We’re a Family, offer ideas to actively build a marriage and family of purpose and beautiful simplicity. Show Notes and Resources Connect with Elilsha and Kathryn Voetberg www.nowthatwereafamily.com. Learn more about Elilsha and Kathryn and get their books here: nowthat
Sports Evangelism: Stop Trying to Score. Start Building Trust--Heather Reddy
You want to be open about your faith—but not that person. Pushy. Scripted. Weird. So you stay quiet. Meanwhile, life’s already full—kids’ games, long weekends, surface-level talk. What if sports evangelism didn’t feel like a setup? Heather Reddy, national women's soccer chaplain with Athletes in Action, gets the tension and offers a more natural way to connect—r
What's in the Way of Your Friendships: Drew Hunter
Friendship hasn’t always been this hard. Author Drew Hunter looks at historical friendships, and some of the ways we get it wrong. Show Notes and Resources Connect with Drew Hunter and read his articles "7 Tips on being a good friend " and "4 steps on Cultivating True Friendship" And grab his book, "Made for Friendship" in our shop. Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring t
Friendship: Drew Hunter
Isn’t friendship kind of…optional? Author Drew Hunter proposes a solution to the nationwide epidemic of loneliness. He digs into the scriptural plea for authentic friendship, and how, exactly, to make friendships you can’t live without. Show Notes and Resources Connect with Drew Hunter and read his articles "7 Tips on being a good friend " and "4 steps on Cultivating True Frien
When Duty Keeps Winning: Being Married in the Military Without Losing Yourself--Beth Runkle
Beth Runkle--author of Another Move, God? 30 Encouragements to Embrace Your Life as a Military Wife--knows being married in the military can feel like losing time, control, even your voice. When duty wins (again), what keeps your marriage from drifting? This episode steps into the tension: respect when it’s hard, staying connected when you’re apart, and quieting the mental spiral. It&r
Confessions of a Military Wife: Burnout, Bitterness, and a Better Way--Beth Runkle
You didn’t sign up for this version of a military marriage: the moves, the silence, the stalled dreams. But what if the chaos isn’t wrecking your life, but reshaping it? This episode gets the grind—deployments, resentment, starting over—and speaks straight to the questions you’re too tired to ask. Beth Runkle, author of Another Move, God? 30 Encouragements to Embrace
Word Before Work: Jordan Raynor
You’re hustling to keep the lights on, the kids alive, and your faith from feeling like a Sunday-only hobby. In this episode of FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Jordan Raynor—host of the Word Before Work podcast and author of the new Word Before Work devotional—about why your job, your chores, and your unseen grind might be doing more for God’s kingdom than y
Faith and Work: Why Your “Secular” Job Is Instantly Sacred--Jordan Raynor
Faith and work collide in the places you actually live: locker rooms, Zoom calls, minivans, and fluorescent-lit offices where calling can feel like drudgery. Jordan Raynor joins Dave and Ann Wilson to blow up the sacred/secular divide, trace God’s first commission from Genesis 1 into your Monday grind, and show why changing diapers, running routes, closing deals, or pulling espresso shots ca
Co-Parents and Step-Unity: Transforming Conflict Into Cooperation--Ron Deal
Blended families face unique battles: guilt-paralyzed bio parents, stepparents feeling threatened, ex-spouses overstepping. Ron Deal and Gayla Grace unpack traps that sabotage marriage and parenting—erase/replace mindsets, unilateral fixes, defensiveness—and show how co-parents can lean in, communicate intent, and send “no-threat” messages. When couples unite around kids, c
Grandparenting when Kids Walk Away from Faith: Dr. Crawford Lorrits & Larry Fowler of the Legacy Coalition
Grandparents and parents face heartbreak when kids walk away from faith—or when rules block spiritual talks. Dr. Crawford Loritts and Larry Fowler (Legacy Coalition) show how leaning in with persistent love, humility, gratitude, and creative prayer keeps relational doors open. Through stories, apologies, and benchmarked traditions, they reveal how small, consistent faith-filled actions can s
Intentional Christian Grandparenting: Dr. Crawford Lorrits & Larry Fowler
Grandparents aren’t spectators—they’re hope-givers with the power to shape eternity. Dr. Crawford Loritts and Larry Fowler show how intentional grandparenting changes family legacies: sharing faith stories, praying boldly, modeling surrendered lives, and passing God’s truth across generations. Walk alongside them as they turn hard pasts into godly futures and show how every
Uncommon Trust: Learning to Trust God When Life Doesn't Make Sense
When life tips over, how do you keep trusting God? Pastor Erik Reed, author of Uncommon Trust: Learning to Trust God When Life Doesn't Make Sense, shares his family’s journey through unimaginable loss—his son’s medical tragedy, kidney transplant, and death at 15—and the daily, vulnerable faith that carried them. This episode doesn’t offer easy answers, but it shows ho
Gritty Faith: Through Trauma, Trusting God in Difficult Times--Erik Reed
Bitterness eats the soul like poison. Anxiety paralyzes even the strongest. Pastor Erik Reed takes listeners inside the unfiltered journey of forgiving the surgeon who ruined his son’s kidneys—including panic attacks and, in his bones, trusting God in difficult times. Walk with Erik through the Valley of the Shadow—from anger and fear to freedom and uncommon trust. Show Notes an
When He Doesn’t Fix It: Trusting God in the Middle of Loss--Erik Reed
When prayers feel like they’re bouncing off the ceiling and life goes sideways—what then? Pastor Erik Reed shares the gut-punch story behind his book, Uncommon Trust—a 15-year fight for his son’s life after a devastating medical mistake. This isn’t tidy faith talk about trusting God. It’s the gritty road from “God will fix it” to “but if not.&r
Why Real Relationships Beat AI Companions Every Time: Ron Deal
Think AI is harmless? Think again. Today’s chatbots don’t just answer questions—they offer friendship, romance, even “love.” And the AI dangers aren’t loud… they’re subtle. Easy affirmation. Zero challenge. Total secrecy. On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Ron Deal about how AI dangers threaten marriages, kids, and faith. Before &ldq
When AI Becomes Your Best Friend: Ron Deal
Lonely? There’s an app for that. AI companions promise instant connection, zero conflict, and someone who always says the right thing. No eye rolls. No baggage. No growth either. On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Ron Deal about how AI companions are reshaping marriages, parenting, and emotional intimacy. Before a chatbot becomes your safest relationship, find out what’
Andrew Peterson - The Resurrection Letters
Can seasons of darkness help us see more clearly than ever? Singer & author Andrew Peterson describes his path through depression to resurrection. Show Notes and Resources Get to know Andrew learn about his book Resurrection Letters at andrew-peterson.com Save over 40% on all getaways thru 3/31! Register now at Register now at WeekendToRemember.com Set sail on the Love Like You Mean It Marria
Emotionally Distant but Still Committed: Now What? David & Meg Robbins
"Ever feel like you’re sharing a calendar… but not your heart? You work the same mission, manage the same chaos—yet something’s off. You're emotionally distant, but it's subtle. Polite. Growing. Show Notes and Resources Explore FamilyLife marriage resources, including the Art of Marriage video series: Get the leader kit, workbooks, or stream at familylife.com/art-of-marri
From Survival Mode to Stronger Marriage: The Power of Emotional Check Ins - David and Meg Robbins
Ever feel like life’s flying 78 mph and your marriage is just hanging on? Ministry’s thriving. Career’s climbing. But at home? You’re missing each other—and nobody’s calling it out. That’s what happens when emotional check-ins get skipped and “we’re fine” becomes the norm.On this episode of FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson sit down w
Your Marriage Isn’t a Side Hustle: Resetting Family Priorities - Bryan and Stephanie Carter
You can love God, serve people, hit your goals—and still feel strangely empty at home. So what gives? Why does “successful” sometimes feel like “running on fumes”? Stephanie Carter and her husband Bryan, author of Made to Last: 8 Principles to Build Long-Lasting Relationships, get blunt about burnout, counseling at 37, and the wake-up call that reshaped their marriage
Crushing It at Work, Missing It at Home: Balancing Work and Family - Bryan and & Stephanie Carter
You’re checking the boxes—career, church, kids—but something still feels off. Why doesn’t success feel significant? And why does marriage take the hit when life gets busy? Stephanie Carter and her husband Bryan, author of Made to Last: 8 Principles to Build Long-Lasting Relationships, share how burnout, counseling, and hard recalibration reshaped their marriage and family r
How Can I Make a Relationship Last? Start Here - Bryan & Stephanie Carter
You love Jesus—but marriage still feels complicated. Ministry pressure. In-law tension. Career moves you didn’t plan. What does a strong Christian marriage actually look like after 25 years? If you're wondering How can I make a relationship last? Stephanie Carter and her husband Bryan--author of Made to Last: 8 Principles to Build Long Lasting Relationships--get you started in the righ
Hard-Won Marriage Lessons from 50+ Years Together: Dennis & Barbara Rainey
Dennis and Barbara Rainey know marriage is hard, messy, and tested daily. On FamilyLife Today, they share marriage lessons from decades of insight—faith-based, practical, and no sugarcoating—to survive the everyday mess. Show Notes and Resources Set sail on the Love Like You Mean It Marriage Cruise! Now through 3/31/26, use promo code CruiseMadness27 and enjoy exclusive savings on you
When God Feels Silent: Surviving the Dark Night of the Soul in Marriage--Chris and Yodit Brooks
Your world can flip in an instant. One call, one loss, and suddenly your marriage, your faith, your family—all feel torn-open and unsteady. On Family Life Today, Chris Brooks and Yodit Brooks share honestly what it’s like to walk through the dark night of the soul...in marriage. They extend the quiet hope that arrives when you refuse to just survive. Show Notes and Resources Set sail
Are You Setting Goals in Marriage—or Just Reacting to Life? Luke Middendorf
When it comes to setting goals in marriage, most couples wing it—or copy whatever sounds spiritual. FamilyLife President Luke Middendorf talks about upheaval, faith, and the quiet drift that happens when you’re busy but not aligned. If you want more than vague marriage resolutions, this conversation will steady your aim without piling on guilt. Show Notes and Resources Set sail on the
Resentment in Marriage: When “I’m Fine” Isn’t Fine--FamilyLife Panel Discussion
You said it nicely. Then louder. Now you’re just tired. This live panel of marriage experts from FamilyLife's Love Like You Mean It Cruise gets real about resentment in marriage, like small frustrations that turn into silent scorekeeping. Why he withdraws. Why you push. And how couples stop fighting each other and start fighting for each other—without pretending everything’s fine
Success Almost Cost Us Our Marriage (Here’s What We Learned): Montell and Kristin Jordan
You’re busy. Faithful. Grinding. But if you’re honest? Something at home feels off. Music artists and authors Montell and Kristin Jordan get real about success, sickness, marriage strain—and the quiet drift that almost costs you what matters most. If work, church, kids, or “good things” are crowding your covenant, this conversation will recalibrate you without shaming
He Calls Me Daughter: A Christian Movie on Healing Father Wounds - Rick Altizer
What does God’s love look like when your earthly father failed you? He Calls Me Daughter, a new Christian movie by Rick Altizer, follows real stories of father wounds, faith, and redemption. Rachelle Starr’s Scarlet Hope ministry brings hope to women in strip clubs, showing how obedience, prayer, and God’s grace transform broken lives. Watch, reflect, and discover how healing fro
He Calls Me Daughter: God's Love for the Father Wound--Rick Altizer
How does a missing, distant, or imperfect dad shape a life? In the movie He Calls Me Daughter, director Rick Altizer and Rachelle Starr explore father wounds and their ripple effect on faith, identity, and trust. Through Scarlet Hope’s bold ministry in the sex industry, real stories of redemption, obedience, and God’s transformative love reveal how compassionate faith can heal deep hur
