The Boundless Show

Answering recruiter questions, plus how to craft a personal spiritual retreat, and should you only use Christian dating apps?    

 

Featured musical artist: All Sons & Daughters

 

Roundtable: Questions to Prepare for a Job Interview

 

A job interview is one of the most intimidating things you’ll do. How can you possibly be prepared for the questions you’ll be asked? And what questions should you ask in return? Three career recruiters bring their years of experience to suggest what really matters in a job interview, what questions you will absolutely be asked, and how you can be creatively and confidently prepared for the conversation, including any curveballs.      

 

 

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Culture: Take a Personal Spiritual Retreat

 

How do you tune out the noise in the world, take a break from the daily grind, and really focus on God? By crafting a personal retreat! Becky Harling is an expert at taking time away for worship, reflection and refreshment. She’ll walk us through the experience and its components, whether you can carve out a couple hours, a half day, a whole day or a weekend. If you’re feeling drained and discouraged or just need a spiritual boost or reset, Becky’s suggestions may be just what you need. 

 

Our Father: A Study of the Lord’s Prayer (A 6-Week Bible Study) 

 

Inbox: Only Christian Dating Apps?

 

Our listener is asking if Christians should use only Christian dating apps, or is it best to branch out to other ones as well. Lisa Anderson weighs in. 

 

Christian Cafe 

 

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How to navigate Mother’s Day, plus Dr. Greg Smalley continues the cohabitation conversation, and when your date has concerns about your family.   

Featured musical artist: Austin Stone Worship

Roundtable: What Does Your Mother’s Day Look Like?

What does Mother’s Day mean for you? For some, it’s joy-filled, but for others it’s extremely difficult — even painful. Our guests have different histories with the holiday as well as different levels of relationship with their mothers. They’ll share tips for navigating Mother’s Day, how to love our moms with Christ’s love, and how to make the day hopeful, no matter your circumstances.      

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Culture: The Cohabitation Conundrum (Part 2)

The Institute for Family Studies reports that almost 70 percent of Christian couples live together before getting married. According to psychologist Dr. Greg Smalley, both biblical and practical arguments against cohabitation seem to be “white noise.” Why so, and is there a better way to have this conversation? Greg, Focus on the Family’s Vice President of Marriage, joins us for a two-part discussion on cohabitation, including new insights and research to debunk the “it’s no big deal” arguments made by many young adults. In part two, Greg shares the practical, emotional and spiritual benefits of delaying your move-in until after marriage.  

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Ready to Wed: 12 Ways to Start a Marriage You’ll Love

Inbox: Your Significant Other Is Concerned About Your Family

Her boyfriend recently expressed concerns about her family and how they interact. How serious is this, and in what way should she address the problem? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in. 

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Reviewing the last two years of “The Boundless Show,” plus Dr. Greg Smalley with new concerns about cohabitation, and when a family member goes MIA.   

Featured musical artist: JJ Heller

Roundtable: What’s New Since Episode 800?

What have been some of your favorite moments from the past two years of “The Boundless Show”? We take a look back at what’s happened with the show since episode 800 and recall what we learned, what surprised us, the moments we loved most — and what made them so great.      

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Culture: The Cohabitation Conundrum (Part 1)

The Institute for Family Studies reports that almost 70 percent of Christian couples live together before getting married. According to psychologist Dr. Greg Smalley, both biblical and practical arguments against cohabitation seem to be “white noise.” Why so, and is there a better way to have this conversation? Greg, Focus on the Family’s Vice President of Marriage, joins us for a two-part discussion on cohabitation, including new insights and research to debunk the “it’s no big deal” arguments made by many young adults. In part one, Greg shares some of the most common (and maybe uncommon) reasons for living together, plus its impact on your future marriage.  

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Ready to Wed: 12 Ways to Start a Marriage You’ll Love 

Inbox: They’ve Cut Off Family Communication

What can you do if a family member has cut off communication and shows no signs of wanting to be contacted? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in. 

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Link to Counseling Services 

When people transition out of your life, plus Annie F. Downs on being single and not-so-serious, and how to set boundaries with your parents.   

Featured musical artist: About a Mile  

Roundtable: When People Leave

Your best friend moves to a new city. Or a sibling leaves home. Or you change churches. All of these have one thing in common: They reset your social circle, plus they bring a sense of grief and loss. When people exit your life, how do you learn to adjust? Our guests talk about departures that have forced them to move on and make new friends, plus how they persevered and saw God’s hand in the transitions despite the struggle to say goodbye.     

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Culture: Annie F. Downs From the Inside Out

If you’ve ever listened to the podcast “That Sounds Fun” with host Annie F. Downs, you’re certainly familiar with her spunk, energy, and wide array of guests and topics. This week she’s on “The Boundless Show” chatting with Lisa about singleness, accountability in everything, how to navigate a career change, how she plans her show, and where she’s trusting God right now.  

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Chase the Fun: 100 Days to Discover Fun Right Where You Are   

Find Annie’s Podcast

Single Purpose League

Inbox: Boundaries With My Parents

Are you an adult whose parents still want to know every bit of your business? You’re not alone. How can you maintain a good relationship with your mom and dad while still setting appropriate boundaries and building independence? Counselor Kari A weighs in. 

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Link to Counseling Services 

Our favorite Easter takeaways and traditions, plus crafting your testimony to share, and keeping up with a Gen Zer who wants to do it all.   

Featured musical artist: John Waller

Roundtable: The Impact of Easter

We share our favorite Easter holiday activities and traditions — what we’ve kept (church, brunch, maybe a chocolate egg or two) and what we’ve tossed (Easter bunny photos, ugh) —  and how we craft a meaningful celebration. We also discuss why Easter gives us hope, and what that actually means.      

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Culture: How to Tell Your Story

Are you good at sharing your testimony? For many of us it can feel awkward or downright intimidating. Maybe you’re not even sure what parts to leave in and what to cut out. And you certainly haven’t practiced it. Dani Crews joins us to explain the power of our own stories in sharing the gospel with others, and gives us great tips for crafting our story so others want to hear it.   

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Rhythms of Rest: A Devotional to Move You Towards the Life You Were Always Created For   

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Inbox: That Gen-Z Lifestyle

If someone you know is more of a free spirit who wants to work a flexible schedule, is forever traveling to new places, has a lot of friends but doesn’t want to make time for family or those closest to them, how do you find common ground? Lisa Anderson weighs in. 

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Roles and rhythms while dating, plus strategies to combat loneliness, and when he feels attraction in a relationship but she doesn’t.   

Featured musical artist:  Tauren Wells

Roundtable: Who Does What When Dating?

A listener recently asked what roles, if any, men and women should play in a dating relationship. The question raises many more questions: Should the guy make the first move? Does biblical submission apply in dating? Who should pay for dates? What does leadership of the relationship look like? We tackle these questions and more with our panel of newly-married and engaged individuals.    

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Culture: Overcoming Loneliness

Loneliness is a worldwide epidemic. A recent U.S. Surgeon General report states that one in two adults feels isolated. The need for connection is greater than ever, and Christians should be the first to prioritize it. Becky Harling has fought hard for real relationships in her life, and is here to show us how to do the same.   

Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World   

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Inbox: One-Sided Attraction

A listener has been dating her boyfriend for three months. He’s excited about the relationship, but she’s just not feeling it. Is there reason to stick it out and hope for attraction to grow? Counselor Kari A weighs in. 

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Choosing Attraction   

Obeying God’s commands about sex (part two), plus Ben Stuart on breakups, engagement and marriage, and how do you prepare to be a stay-at-home mom? 

Featured musical artist:  Zach Williams  

Roundtable: A Sexual Purity Reset (Part 2)

Do you sometimes feel you’re the last Christian on earth who hasn’t had sex? Or you think God has bigger things to worry about than your sex life, so a little compromise here or there is no big deal. Maybe you’ve caved to sexual sin and are wondering if you’re a Christian at all. If any of these scenarios describe you, you’re not alone. God is pretty clear about His sexual standards and design, so why is it so hard to obey them? And in today’s culture, why should we? In part two of this no-holds-barred conversation, our guests discuss why church can be a difficult place to talk about sexual struggles, how sex in marriage is a big deal, and finding a future beyond sexual sin.    

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Culture: Moving From a Breakup to Marriage

Most of us go through at least one breakup while dating, but is there a way to navigate a relationship’s demise without getting caught in a bad cycle of them? Pastor Ben Stuart broke up with a girlfriend in college and learned a few valuable lessons in the process. Breakups may be part of your journey through the relational seasons of being single, dating, getting engaged and getting married. But as Ben explains, it’s possible to survive a breakup (or several) and move toward marriage with confidence.   

 Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: Navigating Life and Love in the Modern Age   

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Inbox: Prep to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom

Our listener dreams of being a stay-at-home mom and is asking how she should prepare. Counselor Joannie DeBrito weighs in. 

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Obeying God’s commands about sex, plus Ben Stuart on battling adversity and temptation, and how to maximize your final year of college.   

Featured musical artist:  Covenant Worship  

Roundtable: A Sexual Purity Reset (Part 1)

Do you sometimes feel you’re the last Christian on earth who hasn’t had sex? Or you think God has bigger things to worry about than your sex life, so a little compromise here or there is no big deal. Maybe you’ve caved to sexual sin and are wondering if you’re a Christian at all. If any of these scenarios describe you, you’re not alone. God is pretty clear about His sexual standards and design, so why is it so hard to obey them? And in today’s culture, why should we? In part one of this no-holds-barred conversation, our guests open up about their sexual histories, grapple with the truths of God’s Word (even the tough parts), look forward with renewed hope, and cast a vision for finding both strength and grace in God’s forward-focused and for-our-good design for sex.   

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Culture: Fighting Temptation and Finding Rest

We’re in a spiritual war against the world, our own sinful desires, and even Satan himself. We need to fight temptation, worthless pursuits, discouragement and adversity on every side. As fighters, our need for rest can be just as important as how we handle the battle — but where and when do we find this rest? Pastor Ben Stuart is passionate about helping young adults find intimacy with God through ancient rhythms and practices. He knows we can reject the enemy’s lies and embrace our true identity in Christ. Pushing through the struggle we are then afforded rest at the often unexpected pastures and streams that God provides. This discussion will help you start the journey.    

 Rest and War: Rhythms of a Well-Fought Life

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Inbox: Making Your Last Year of College Count

What should you do to maximize your last year of college? How can you enjoy this season while preparing for what comes next? Counselor Linda Miller weighs in. 

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How we budget and save for stuff, plus what to do when you feel behind in life, and conversations with someone who has doubts about God.   

Featured musical artist: Hollyn

Roundtable: Are You Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

A bucket-list trip. A new house. A different car. The latest smartphone. All great things, but they require money. Many of us have gotten used to living paycheck to paycheck and putting things on credit cards. Is there a better way to spend and save without going into debt or eating mac and cheese until we’re 40? Our guests reveal what they’re saving money for, how they’re doing it, and why delayed gratification and planning for the future can be rewarding. If you’re needing clarity on how to better save towards a long-term goal, you’ll be inspired by our discussion.  

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Culture: Am I Behind in Life? 

Your friend gets a promotion. Another friend starts dating. A couple in your small group is expecting their first child. Meanwhile, you’re underemployed and staring at another apartment’s popcorn ceiling. This was Meghan Asbury’s life. Every milestone her friends hit left her feeling more and more behind. She moved to a new city for a fresh start, but that didn’t help. The months and years following led to a fair amount of grieving, soul-searching, and reevaluating her situation. In the process she learned a lot about herself, God, His plans for us, and what it means to be “on track.”  

You Are Not Behind: Building a Life You Love Without Having Everything You Want 

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Inbox: When a Loved One Doubts God

A friend or family member admits they’re having doubts about God. How can you respond without freaking out or sounding preachy? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in. 

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Make your Bible reading more meaningful, plus identifying and addressing trauma in your life, and what did Paul mean by his “thorn in the flesh”?    

Featured musical artist: Phil Wickham

Roundtable: Beyond Bible 101

You grew up in church, but is the Bible still a bunch of stories and moral lessons to you? Do you want to go deeper and not just know facts, but really get to know God himself? The possibilities for personal study and devotion are endless and sometimes overwhelming. Our guests share their favorite ways to study God’s Word, how they’ve experienced transformation through it, and what has helped them dig deeper along the way. 

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Culture: Understanding the Effects of Trauma

Trauma has many forms, and many of us have experienced it on some level. Whether neglect, violence, abuse, injury or tragedy, trauma can be difficult to identify and even harder to process and heal. Licensed professional counselor Eliza Huie joins us to define trauma, demonstrate how to name it, and explain how Christians can respond appropriately to ensure we or others get the help we need.  

Trauma Aware: A Christian’s Guide to Providing Help and Care

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Inbox: A Thorn in the Flesh

In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul describes his metaphorical “thorn in the flesh.” What exactly did he mean by that and subsequent phrases like, “When I am weak, then I am strong”? Counselor Jerry Jones weighs in. 

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A challenge to ditch your screens, plus a conversation on sexuality and the church, and when your friend says she’s bisexual and a Christian.    

Featured musical artist: Je’kob

Roundtable: Join Our Screen Fast

In anticipation of Lent, our friends at Plugged In have teed up a screen fast. Wanna join? If taking a break from digital devices including your smartphone, tablet, TV and gaming console sounds challenging (work exceptions are OK), then this fast may be for you. Two Plugged In team members plus our friend Georgia join us for an honest assessment of our own screen usage and what it might look like to pause for a week and prioritize the real world. 

Take The Technology Addiction Assessment 

Link to Bring Your Bible’s Instagram Page  

Link to Plugged In Website  

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Culture: Discussing Sex in Church

Sex is a difficult topic to talk about — especially at church. But the Bible has a lot to say about it, and sadly, sexual sin doesn’t stay outside the church walls. Ellen Dykas is single and part of a ministry dedicated to conversations and restoration around sex, including addiction. She talks with us about how the church can champion a healthy and biblical framework for sexuality and how it can offer healing to the sexually broken.  

Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design and Why It Matters   

Visit Ellen’s Website

Harvest USA’s Online Courses

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Inbox: When a Christian Friend Says She’s Bisexual

If your friend is dating the same gender but still claims to be a Christian, how do you respond? Jeff Johnston weighs in. 

 Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design and Why It Matters  

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Link to Counseling Services 

Plan your wedding like a boss, plus Ellen Dykas on navigating lifelong singleness, and how to see God at work in a culture of negativity.    

 

Featured musical artist: Darlene Zschech 

 

Roundtable: How to Plan a Wedding

 

Weddings are big business, and the pressure to have a “perfect” day is real. To make it all happen, many couples invest thousands of dollars and months of preparation. Is the effort worth it? According to experts, what deserves your time and money, and what doesn’t? What are some things to have in mind as you sort out the details? What parts of the planning should the groom-to-be have a say in or take over altogether? How can you make the day meaningful and God-honoring? Our panel of two professional wedding planners plus one engaged (and overwhelmed) guy shares first-hand experience in making your day memorable and manageable on all fronts. 

 

Ready to Wed: 12 Ways to Start a Marriage You’ll Love 

 

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Culture: Fruitful Singleness

 

Ellen Dykas has been in ministry most of her life, first in international missions and now in leadership for an organization devoted to sexual wholeness. Oh, and she’s in her late 50s and single. She details her journey in singleness, including the pressure to be married, how she finds purpose every day, what’s tough and what’s great about being single, what it’s like to be a leader alongside men in ministry — and much more. Next week she’ll be back to talk about sexuality and the church!  

 

Visit Ellen’s Website

 

Inbox: Fighting Negativity

 

When you’re surrounded by negativity and darkness in today’s world, where can you look to see God at work? Counselor Jerry Jones weighs in. 

 

Find us on YouTube 

 

Link to Counseling Services 

 

Overcommitment on church activities, plus Suzanne Gosselin on Gen Z’s apathy toward dating apps, and what if your date has mental health issues?   

Featured musical artist: Jeremy Rosado

Roundtable: Church Involvement Overload

Sunday services. Volunteering. Helping others throughout the week. Not to mention Bible study, small group, committee meetings and discipleship. If you aren’t careful, doing good and even “godly” activities out of guilt can lead to burnout. Besides, if you’re always at church, what do you do about your neighbor and others who don’t know Christ? To help us find equilibrium, our guests share how they’re learning to pause, prioritize and even cut back on their commitments to find joy in what God actually wants from them and for them. 

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Culture: A Young Adult Exodus From Online Dating

In the early 2000s online dating sites were brand new, and heading into the 2010s and beyond, increasing numbers of couples credited digital connections for helping them find their spouse. But the latest statistics indicate Gen Z is ditching online dating apps. Boundless friend and contributor Suzanne Gosselin shares insight on why young adults aren’t as prone to swipe right as older generations.  

 True Love Dates: Your Indispensable Guide to Finding the Love of Your Life   

Dating Apps Lose Popularity Among Gen Z

Visit Suzanne’s Website

Inbox: Dating and Mental Health Issues

Is it possible to have a good dating relationship if you or your significant other struggles with depression, anxiety, or other forms of mental illness? Counselor Joannie DeBrito joins us to answer. 

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Link to Counseling Services 

Our favorite romantic films, plus the history of St. Valentine and Valentine’s Day, and attending the wedding of someone you used to date.    

 

Featured musical artist: Daniel Bashta 

 

Roundtable: Best Movies for Valentine’s Day

 

Do you have a go-to film for Valentine’s Day? Do you prefer a rom-com or an epic romance or period drama? To help you celebrate February 14th, our panelists duke it out over the all-time best movies about love and romance. Listen in to see if your favorite makes the list and hear our opinions on what makes for a great love-centric storyline.  

 

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Link to Plugged In Website 

 

Culture: Will the Real St. Valentine Please Stand Up? 

 

Where did the Valentine’s Day traditions of flowers, romantic cards and heart-shaped candies come from? It started with St. Valentine, a real person with a fascinating story. To help separate truth from legend, historian Bill Petro shares facts, fiction and legacy around the Roman priest and the holiday that shares his name.  

 

Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity  

 

Visit Bill Petro’s Blog

 

Inbox: Attending the Wedding of Someone You Dated

 

What if you’re invited to the wedding of someone you used to have feelings for? What if it was someone you actually dated? A counselor offers advice. 

 

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Link to Counseling Services 

Encouragement when your home life isn’t ideal, plus hope for single parents, and are Christians still committed to God’s standard for sex?    

 

Featured musical artist: David Dunn

 

Roundtable: Love Where You Live

 

What’s your current living situation and how do you feel about it? You may live by yourself, with roommates, your parents, or a married couple or family. Whatever the circumstances, each situation has pros and cons. Our panelists have lived in a variety of settings and with different types of people. They discuss lessons they’ve learned along the way as well as tips for staying encouraged and making the most of where God has you right now, even if it’s not ideal.

 

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Culture: The Single Parent Path

 

Tez Brooks got the news nobody wants when his first wife left him. His divorce was both an emotional low and a spiritual wake-up call. In the years following, he navigated life as a single dad — raising two kids, adjusting to a new normal, embracing church and community in a new way, and healing relational wounds. Now remarried, Tez shares encouragement and strategies for single parents who feel overwhelmed, plus advice for trusting God when your life is turned upside down. 

 

The Single Dad Detour: Directions for Fathering After Divorce   

 

Tez’s Website

Inbox: What Happened to Sexual Integrity?

 

Our listener is frustrated that almost none of his friends are obeying God’s Word when it comes to sex. What are the implications, and is it right to care? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in. 

 

Find us on YouTube 

 

Link to Counseling Services 

How to communicate to others with honesty and clarity, plus tips for adulting well, and addressing a struggle with OCD.   

Featured musical artist: Nathan Tasker

Roundtable: Say What You Mean

You’re trying to plan an event, but you can’t get anyone to RSVP. You know you have to turn someone down, but you don’t want to hurt their feelings. You started a text trail with a friend, and now they’ve gone MIA. Sound familiar? Why is it so hard to initiate, commit, respond, be honest — all the things that are hallmarks of mature communication? Our guests discuss the importance of following up, showing up, and speaking up honestly in our relationships. There’s a reason the Bible says, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil (Matt. 5:37). Together we can learn how to do better, starting with this conversation.

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Culture: How to Be an Adult

At 19, Tez Brooks took a leap of faith and moved 1,000 miles away from home. He soon had a rude awakening that being an adult is no easy task; he couldn’t even do his own laundry. Now the author of “Adult-o-Nomics,” a fun yet practical guide to mastering life skills, Tez addresses our need to take responsibility, master necessary tasks, relate to the opposite sex, and more. 

 Adult-o-Nomics: How to Nail It On Your Own  

Tez’s Website

Inbox: A Christian Approach to OCD

Our listener admittedly wrestles with OCD and is looking for help from a Christian perspective. Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in. 

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The perils of ghosting, plus a fitness coach’s God-centered approach to health, and should you get married if you’re poor?

Featured musical artist: Aaron Shust

Roundtable: Alternatives to Ghosting

“I’ve been ghosted!” It’s a common complaint among daters, but it happens in friendships and other contexts as well. Whether you’re guilty of ghosting or have been on the receiving end of this annoyingly passive “dump,” we’d all agree there are better, kinder, and healthier ways to end a relationship, say no, and move on. Our guests disclose their own confessions and frustrations around ghosting, and offer alternative solutions for these awkward junctures in relationships.       

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Culture: Putting God in Your Fitness

If your January fitness goals have already been jettisoned, maybe it’s time to take a different approach. Professional fitness coach Kim Dolan Leto thinks one of our biggest diet and exercise mistakes as Christians is not inviting God into the process. But does God care about workouts and weigh-ins? What can Kim possibly be talking about? Far from a shame-based, effort-intensive plan, Kim’s approach to getting healthy is grounded in Scripture and a holistic view of how God designed our bodies to work. If you’re tired of white-knuckling your fitness goals only to fail yet again, this conversation deserves a listen.              

 Fit God’s Way: Your Bible-Based Guide to Food, Fitness, and Wholeness

Kim’s Website

Fit God’s Way

Inbox: Can I Get Married if I’m Poor?

Culture tells us we need to be financially secure before adding marriage to the mix. Is that true, or can you get married even if you’re poor? Counselor Joannie DeBrito weighs in. 

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Link to Counseling Services 

What confidence looks like, plus a young adult’s journey with chronic pain, and how to honor God in everyday life.  

 

Featured musical artist: Mosaic MSC

 

Roundtable: Confident Relationships, Work and Identity

 

What is confidence, and how do you get it? It’s probably more than Julie Andrews dancing around a Salzburg fountain and chirping, “I have confidence!” Yet it seems that some elements of confidence can be learned, if not merely wished into existence. Our guests share tips for being more confident on the job, in relationships, and in understanding who you are.      

 

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Culture: Young Adults and Chronic Pain

 

Olivia Feller started having weird symptoms in her teens. Doctor after doctor failed to provide a diagnosis, cure, or even relief, and eventually Olivia’s pain became debilitating. College was a blur of medical appointments, skipped classes and missed milestones and events. Olivia, still on her journey, learned to face pain and chronic illness head-on as she turned to the only one with the answers — God himself. She shares what worked, what didn’t work, and how God, friends and others were her strength when she had none.            

Hold Hope: Encouragement for Christians with Chronic Pain

 

Inbox: How Do I Honor God?

 

What does it mean to “honor God” and others in the life we live and the choices we make? It’s a big question that one of our counselors sheds some light on. 

 

Find us on YouTube 

 

Link to Counseling Services 

The difference between rest and procrastination, plus a challenge to go 40 days alcohol-free, and do girlfriends need to submit to their boyfriends?  

Featured musical artist: Danen Kane

Roundtable: Are You Resting or Procrastinating?

When you’re working hard to reach new goals, it’s important to pace yourself and not burn yourself out. But can you tell the difference between true rest and straight-up procrastination? Our guests share their best insights on when it’s time to take a break versus when it’s time to get off the couch and get busy.       

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Culture: The Case for Sobriety

Christy Osborne had long been a casual drinker, but when her mother died, she became alcohol-dependent. Her downtime, social time and vacation time revolved around booze. Although Scripture isn’t absolute on the issue of drinking in moderation, Christy knew that alcohol had become central to her life. She explored what sobriety might look like: how it would affect her health, relationships and mindset. Now a sobriety coach, Christy joins us to share her journey and suggestions for making an objective assessment of our relationship with alcohol.          

Love Life Sober: A 40-Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

Inbox: Should a Woman Submit to Her Boyfriend?

Scripture tells wives to submit to their husbands. In dating, does that same principle apply between women and their boyfriends? Counselor Brenda Huerta weighs in.

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Link to Counseling Services 

 

Embracing changes in a new year, plus what grief looks like, and do you hate responsibility?  

Featured musical artist: Ginny Owens

Roundtable: New Year, New Opportunities

A new job. An engagement. Starting a dating relationship. Moving to a new place. One of the beauties of life is the chance to grow, try new things, and step into adventure. But with change comes a whole new set of challenges. To share wisdom on getting through adjustments you’ll make this year, our guests discuss what lessons they’ve learned through life’s transitions.      

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Culture: The Process of Grief

Grief comes in many forms. Whether death, injury, disappointment or betrayal, grief often arrives unannounced and without an instruction manual. Rather than progressing in a straight line or on a specific timetable, grief moves in cycles. At least that’s what counselor and educator Dr. Ray Mitsch says. The victim of a serious accident that has him in constant pain, Dr. Mitsch walks us through how to navigate the different components of grief, how to comfort the grieving, and when to know it’s time to get professional help in processing loss.          

The Seasons of Our Grief: Embracing the Journey 

Inbox: I Don’t Like Responsibility

Being a grownup means taking responsibility for everything from life skills to decisions to how we treat others. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, though. If you’re responsibility-averse, you’ll be encouraged by the words of counselor Jeff Brown. 

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Link to Counseling Services 

Article: Adult Before 30? 

 

Intentional relationships with non-Christians, plus what happened after Jesus’ birth, and when friends deconstruct their faith.  

 

Featured musical artist: James Peden

 

Roundtable: Out of the Christian Bubble

 

Many of us have at least one friend, family member or coworker who’s not a Christian. But if we’re honest, we tend to spend most of our time with other believers; between family, church, ministry opportunities and small group, it’s easy to stay in a faith-filled comfort zone. What are intentional ways to mix it up, branch out, and get out of the Christian “bubble”? Our guests discuss ways they’ve learned to step out of their routines, build community, and be a light for Christ.      

 

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Culture: First Christmas, Then Herod

 

If you were part of our Advent text experience, you heard regularly from John Greco. This week he reflects on lessons he’s learned from his extensive study of Advent, and why it’s good for Christians to think of the Christmas story in the bigger context of history. To that end, he’ll read a short excerpt from his book “Rediscovering Christmas” titled “The Nightmare After Christmas.”   

     

Rediscovering Christmas: A Twelve-Day Journey to the Manger  

 

Inbox: When Friends Leave the Faith 

 

How do you respond when a friend announces, “I’m done being a Christian”? One of our counselors weighs in. 

 

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Article: When a Pastor Like Josh Harris Abandons Christianity 

How to be a fun date, plus sharing Jesus with the cynical and deconstructed, and how do you accept your current situation in life?  

Featured musical artist: Ellie Holcomb

Roundtable: Fun Date Ideas

Dating doesn’t always have to be serious. In fact, your ability to have fun as a couple is a good litmus test for whether you should marry. Our guests share their best strategies for staying chill in the dating process, as well as some of their most creative date ideas.    

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Culture: The Gospel for Young Adults

Aaron Pierce grew up a missionary kid in Amsterdam and saw his parents share the gospel with people in some of the darkest corners of the city. He’s now part of his parents’ ministry, specializing in reaching non-religious young adults with the hope of Jesus Christ. In his experience, what are the most natural, “just be yourself” ways to reach your peers? You’ll probably need to get out of your comfort zone, but chances are you’ll have conversations that are meaningful and eternity-focused. Join the conversation to hear some of Aaron’s best stories and suggestions.        

Not Beyond Reach: How to Share Jesus with the Young, the Deconstructed, and the Non-Religious  

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Inbox: Accepting Where You Are 

Your current season of life might be great or it could be a mess. Regardless of your circumstances, how do you come to terms with where you are today? Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in. 

Guest: Tim Sanford

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Article: Managing Anxiety 

Article: How to Develop a Resilient Mindset 

Link to Counseling Services 

Sibling time over the holidays, plus trading anxiety for peace, and should you change jobs to advance your career?  

Featured musical artist: About a Mile  

Roundtable: Sibling Connections at Christmas

What are your sibling dynamics like during the holidays? Some of us have great relationships with our brothers and sisters, but for others, interactions and conversations can be shallow, awkward, or even tense. Our guests share both good and difficult moments they’ve had with their siblings; if you aren’t sure how to connect meaningfully with your family this Christmas, you’ll be encouraged by our discussion.    

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Culture: What God Does With Anxiety

Rates of anxiety among young adults are at an all-time high. How do we cope? Do we white-knuckle it and hope things get better? Not according to Whitney Lowe, who argues that God not only can but wants to take our anxiety if we’ll bring it to Him. Join us for practical suggestions for setting our minds on God and bringing peace to our minds and hearts.        

Set Your Eyes Higher: A 40-Day Reset to Slow Your Anxiety and Fix Your Focus on God

Whitney’s Instagram

Inbox: Will Changing Jobs Put Me Ahead? 

Some suggest that if you change jobs, you’ll advance in your career more quickly. But is that actually true? Career expert Marshonda Dixon weighs in. 

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Serious strain between parents and adult children, plus why church history matters, and should you do a missions trip when your parents disapprove?

Featured musical artist: Jonathan Cain

Roundtable: “Mom and Dad, We’re Done”

The holidays should be a joyous time of gathering with family and friends, but all too often they are marked by absence, distance and strife. For some, the choice to “cancel” family members — including your own parents — brings confusion, hurt and relational wreckage. Our guests this week are parents with strained or non-existent relationships with their adult children. They share the details behind their unique journeys, their hope for reconciliation, and how they’re choosing to rely on the Lord as they wait.

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Abusive Relationships Page

Culture: Why Care About Church History?

We know about the New Testament apostles. You’ve likely heard of Martin Luther and John Calvin. But for what purpose? Does learning about church history (and a bunch of dead guys) inform and shape our lives today? Historian and blogger Bill Petro joins us to give a crash course, explaining why church history is not only instructive, but also fascinating.

Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity

Visit Bill Petro’s Blog

Inbox: My Parents Dissed My Missions Trip

She wants to go on a missions trip but her parents are opposed out of concern for her safety, among other things. Is going the right or wrong decision? Missionary Wendy Hamon spent years in difficult and dangerous overseas situations; she offers advice.

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Your home is a great place to gather, plus living each day with heaven in mind, and how to make your faith your own.

Featured musical artist: Love and the Outcome

Roundtable: Invite People to Your Home

Do you enjoy hosting parties and get-togethers, or does the thought of people at your place intimidate you? With the holidays upon us, now’s a great time to have people over. But hospitality isn’t just for special occasions. Whether big or small, planned or impromptu, creating space and structure for people to eat, connect, feel loved and heard is something the early church modeled well. But what can it look like for us — for you — today? Our guests have creative ideas for sharing their space and fostering connection with all sorts of people; listen in as they share the challenges and benefits of gospel hospitality.

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Culture: Why Eternity Matters Today

Does the reality of heaven influence the way you live right now? Do you even think about heaven and its impact on your daily choices? Pastor Mark Bates explains how where we’ll spend eternity should influence our relationships, careers, priorities, and the everyday decisions before us. If you’re wondering why heaven matters, this discussion will encourage you.

Inbox: Your Parents’ Faith, or Yours?

You may have grown up in church — even walked an aisle or prayed a prayer. At some point, though, you have to take ownership of your faith and make it not just something you’ve “inherited,” but something you’ve internalized. How do you do this? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.

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Living on purpose while you’re single, plus ways to help the homeless and poor around you, and what’s a Christian’s obligation to evangelize?

Featured musical artist: Austin Stone Worship

Roundtable: Purpose in Singleness

You may want to get married, but is there a way to maximize your singleness while you wait? Our guests, all single, share their best strategies for finding community, chasing after growth, meeting people, and serving others in a season of singleness. If you feel your life lacks purpose or has stalled out, you’ll be inspired by their thoughts.

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Culture: Wise Ways to Help the Homeless

You stop at an intersection and a homeless person is there, holding a sign asking for help. How do you respond? We know the Bible tells us to love and care for the poor among us, but how can we do this with compassion and effectiveness? Travis Williams leads the multi-outreach Springs Rescue Mission, a place of hope for addicts, the mentally ill, homeless and others. Every day he sees these challenges first-hand, and he offers ideas to help Christians move the needle of care in our own communities.

Listen, Love, Repeat: Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World

The Needy Outside My Window

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Inbox: Do I Need to Preach on Street Corners?

Is aggressive, public evangelism the call of every believer — even to the point of preaching on street corners? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.

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Overcoming faith doubts and trials, plus Joshua Rogers on a Christian’s rights at work, and seeking healing from sexual trauma before marriage.

Featured musical artist: Abandon

Roundtable: When Your Faith Is Challenged

What’s been the biggest test to your faith? A tragedy? Unanswered questions? Scientific claims? We’ve all faced moments that forced us to ask honest questions about God, the Bible, and the Christian faith. Our guests share about weathering big spiritual challenges, and what helped them overcome their doubts to trust God more fully.

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Culture: A Christian’s Rights in the Workplace

If you work in a secular environment, are you required to leave your faith at home? What legal rights do you have to express what you believe? Conversely, what can your employer require of you? Boundless contributor Joshua Rogers is an attorney who has these conversations every day. He gives us honest advice for living out your faith and values on the job while loving others in the process.

No Reason to Hide: Standing for Christ in a Collapsing Culture

Link to Article: How to Defend Your Faith Without Being a Jerk

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Inbox: Addressing Sexual Trauma Before Marriage

Past sexual trauma can do untold damage to your body, mind and emotions. If you’ve experienced this trauma, how do you appropriately seek healing before getting married? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Mending the Soul by Steven Tracy

Fearless Series Resources

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Navigating dating as a woman in your 30s, plus a psychiatrist’s tips for getting mental health care, and giving church community a second chance.

Featured musical artist: Hollyn

Roundtable: Dating in Your 30s (Girls’ Edition)

What is dating like in your 30s compared to your 20s? Is the pressure higher? The disappointments greater? Or do time and maturity actually help in the pursuit of a relationship? Join our two-part series where 30-something daters share advice from their own experiences. This week, it’s the ladies’ turn. (Men were last week! )

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Culture: Tips for Accessing Mental Health Care

We know about today’s sky-high rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health struggles, but how do you start the process of getting the care you need? Psychiatrist Karl Benzio helps us understand the ins and outs of therapy, medication, psychology vs. psychiatry, counseling vs. therapy — and most importantly, how to know what you need, and when. This will save you some copays for sure, so grab a pen and paper and listen in!

Are You Really OK?: Getting Real About Who You Are, How You’re Doing, and Why It Matters

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Learn About the Honey Lake Clinic

More on Karl’s Work

Inbox: Small Group Second Chances

Our listener is feeling pressured to jump back into church community groups, but it never seems to go well for them. What’s the best approach going forward? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Hear Our Gary Thomas Interview

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Navigating dating as a man in your 30s, plus sexuality and the single man, and how do you adjust to drastic life changes?

Featured musical artist: Kerrie Roberts

Roundtable: Dating in Your 30s (Guys’ Edition)

What is dating like in your 30s compared to your 20s? Is the pressure higher? The disappointments greater? Or do time and maturity actually help in the pursuit of a relationship? Join our two-part series where 30-something daters share advice from their own experiences. This week, it’s the guys’ turn. Ladies, you’re next week!

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Culture: Sexual Integrity for Single Men in Their 30s

Bob DeMoss is a best-selling author and the founder of Focus on the Family’s Plugged In . But despite praying for a wife, he didn’t marry until age 37. In a refreshingly candid conversation, Bob and Lisa discuss staying sexually faithful in singleness, combating loneliness, and navigating the “single cycle” of contentment, restlessness, poor choices, guilt and repentance.

The Men We Need: God’s Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, and Any Man Willing to Show Up

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Inbox: Weathering Drastic Life Changes

We think we know where we’re going in life, yet we all deal with major changes and setbacks at some point. When they come, how should we respond? Counselor Linda Miller weighs in.

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Make your roommate situation exceptional, plus a former abortion doctor’s testimony, and how to have deep relationships in a disconnected culture.

Featured musical artist: David Dunn

Roundtable: Crafting Great Roommate Relationships

We’re all kind, reasonable and considerate until someone is in our space. This is especially magnified in a roommate situation, whether you’re rooming with one person or several. What do you need to know in choosing roommates, setting house rules, respecting boundaries and resolving conflict? Our guests break it all down based on their past and current experiences.

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Culture: From Abortion Doctor to Pro-Life Champion

Dr. Catherine Wheeler didn’t see much wrong with abortion as a choice, performing them in her practice as an OB/GYN. But facts, circumstances and a new-found faith changed her mind. This week she tells her amazing story alongside a compelling argument for why abortion simply can’t be an answer for women who want ultimate health and wholeness. She’ll also break down the politics of abortion in a climate that is increasingly confusing and polarized.

Abortion Survivors Break Their Silence

Considering Abortion?

Inbox: Real Relationships After College

Forming deep relationships with real people post-college can be a challenge. Lisa Anderson weighs in with feasible options for building community.

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Trusting God with your election anxiety, plus Gary Thomas helps you find your worship “personality,” and how to ask for a raise at work.

Featured musical artist: Nathan Tasker

Roundtable: Managing Election Anxiety

Candidate switches, assassination attempts, war escalations, policy battles and the inevitable name-calling and slander. Who’s ready for this election to be over? Our guests share their feelings around November 5th and how they are navigating conversations leading up to the big day. Is it fracturing their relationships? Are they just staying silent? And what about the outcome? How do we move forward in trusting God if our candidate doesn’t win? With anxiety levels at an all-time high, this timely conversation (including mental health advice from psychiatrist Karl Benzio) will help quell your fears and turn your heart to the One who holds the outcome.

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Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God

Culture: Find Your Spiritual Temperament

The Bible tells us that God is everywhere. But the way you connect with Him might be very different from the way your best friend does. How can you discover the beauty of worshiping the Lord in a way that is especially meaningful to you? It may be through discovering your unique spiritual temperament. Pastor and author Gary Thomas shares the nine ways we can connect with God in study, worship and experience. He’ll also talk about how these pathways dovetail with standard spiritual disciplines to foster our maturity and sanctification.

Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God

Inbox: How to Ask for a Raise

If you think you deserve a raise at work, how do you approach the topic with confidence and professionalism? Career expert Marshonda Dixon weighs in.

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Good habits as a newlywed, plus a former White House staffer explains the 1960s’ influence on America, and navigating singleness beyond your 20s.

Featured musical artist: Aaron Shust

Roundtable: Good Marriage Habits

Getting married is a big transition. Life rhythms are interrupted, and some of them change altogether. What you could do as a single — and when — is sometimes no longer an option. With that in mind, what are good habits to establish in the early weeks and months of marriage? Our guests recount their seasons as newlyweds and give ideas for establishing and maintaining rhythms with God, friends and others after you walk the aisle.

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The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

Culture: What the ‘60s Teach Us About Today

The 1960s were a time of extreme political and social change in America. In many ways the changes weren’t good, and today’s citizens are reaping the consequences. How can we learn from the past and have hope for a better future? A proud history and culture nerd, Tim Goeglein has worked in the White House and beyond. He joins us for a thought-provoking conversation on how with God’s help, we can right our nation’s wrongs — one faith-filled citizen at a time.

Stumbling Toward Utopia: How the 1960s Turned Into a National Nightmare and How We Can Revive the American Dream

Link to Daily Citizen

Inbox: Singleness Beyond Your 20s

She’s neither married nor a parent. On top of wanting those things, she needs encouragement for how to do singleness well, especially now that she’s in her late 20s. Lisa Anderson weighs in.

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Changing family dynamics during engagement and beyond, plus a continued conversation on stress, and focusing on your own faith walk before dating.

Featured musical artist: All Sons & Daughters

Roundtable: Cutting the Apron Strings Before Marriage

The Old Testament book of Genesis describes how you’re supposed to leave your family of origin when you get married and “cleave” to your spouse. But how do you practically work through family dynamics? What do you do with clingy or controlling parents? How do you set habits, rhythms and traditions that define your new union? Our panel of marrieds shares ways they’ve learned to maintain a good relationship with their parents and in-laws while building and prioritizing their new life and relationships.

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Culture: Stress Reduction (Part 2)

Stressors are all around us: bills to pay, work deadlines, sorting through friend and family dynamics, and news headlines galore. What effect is stress having on our brains and bodies, and how do we cope with the fallout? Licensed professional counselor Eliza Huie discusses how you can tackle stress and find peace through lifestyle, helpful practices, and active dependence on God. In part two of our discussion, she brings up the need to recognize your limitations and she walks through the acronym NEAR, a helpful primer for dealing with anxiety.

I’m Stressed: A Path from Pressure to Peace (Ask the Christian Counselor)

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Inbox: He Ended a Relationship to Sort Out His Faith

Our listener would grade his faith walk as a D-. As a result, he broke off a dating relationship, concerned that he has to figure out his faith first. Was this the right thing to do? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

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Separating feelings from fact when it comes to love, plus what to do about stress, and coming to terms when something good didn’t happen.

I’m Stressed: A Path from Pressure to Peace (Ask the Christian Counselor)

Featured musical artist: Love and the Outcome

Roundtable: How Do I Know I Love Someone?

The feelings and excitement of being “in love” are celebrated everywhere from movies to music. But is love deeper than a mere feeling? Are feelings even an indicator that you actually love someone? Our guests get honest about how they’ve struggled with discerning the difference between love as a feeling and love as a choice. They’ll also explain love in the tough times and (yikes) loving the hard to love, including our enemies.

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Culture: Stress Reduction (Part 1)

Stressors are all around us: bills to pay, work deadlines, sorting through friend and family dynamics, and news headlines galore. What effect is stress having on our brains and bodies, and how do we cope with the fallout? Licensed professional counselor Eliza Huie discusses how you can tackle stress and find peace through lifestyle, helpful practices, and active dependence on God. In part one of our conversation she addresses good vs. bad types of stress and how to recognize the repercussions of stress on our lives.

I’m Stressed: A Path from Pressure to Peace (Ask the Christian Counselor)

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Inbox: I Had Faith but It Didn’t Happen

Our listener had faith for something that was genuinely good, but he prayed and things still didn’t go as he’d hoped. How can he trust that God really cares? Counselor George Stahnke weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Find Tara Sun’s Story in Brio Magazine

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Ideas for getting out and making friends, plus author Jerry Jenkins on boundaries with the opposite sex, and signs you’re in an abusive relationship.

Featured musical artist: JJ Heller

Roundtable: Make New Friends

You may be asking, “Where are all the great people to hang out with?” Maybe, just maybe, they’re outside your front door? In order to find them, you may need to get creative. You may need to try something new. Visit new places. Join a new group. This week we discuss ways to step out of your comfort zone and meet quality people. Plus, if you’re single and looking for potential dates, we’ll offer thoughts on how to look without obsessing over whether every cute person could be the one.

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Culture: Boundaries With the Opposite Sex

Marriage experts talk often about creating boundaries when you’re married to guard against infidelity. But great boundaries with the opposite gender work best when you start early — when you’re dating someone, or even before. Setting up what bestselling novelist and author Jerry Jenkins calls “hedges” can be a great and practical way to do that. In our interview, he shares what hedges might look like in dating and marriage, how to set them, and how to avoid potential excuses and pitfalls when temptation strikes.

Hedges: 7 Ways to Love Your Wife and Protect Your Marriage

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Inbox: Am I in a Toxic Relationship?

The word toxic is too often tossed around to describe people we simply don’t like. But what are signs that you’re in a truly toxic or abusive relationship? Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Article: Just Annoying or Truly Unsafe?: How to Navigate Get-Togethers With Difficult Family

Link: Help for Abusive Relationships

Article: Destructive Conflict: Recognize It. Stop It.

Link to Show: Setting Boundaries in Toxic Relationships

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Weird things Christians should stop saying, plus trusting God in a waiting season, and how to own your behavior in a world that shrugs responsibility.

Featured musical artist: About a Mile

Roundtable: Enough With the Spiritual Platitudes

God helps those who help themselves. I’m praying a hedge of protection. God will never give you more than you can handle. Some of our Christian clichés, while well-intentioned, can actually do more harm than good. Our guests share their least-favorite Christian cliches — plus ones they’re guilty of. They’ll also suggest better ways to encourage, exhort, and instruct others with our words.

Article: 5 Christian Clichés that Need to Die

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Culture: Waiting (Well) on God

So much of life is spent waiting. Not just waiting in line or for your next Netflix series, but waiting to find a spouse, to have kids, to achieve your career goals and more. When your patience and even your faith is tested, how do you wait well? Pastor Mark Vroegop reminds us that waiting is a normal part of life and something that God uses to refine us. It’s not easy, though, so this conversation will give you things to cling to as you sort and struggle through your next wait.

Waiting Isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life

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Inbox: Owning My Decisions and Behavior

As a Christian, how do you stay accountable for your thoughts and actions in a world that would rather make excuses? Counselor Kari A weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Honestly assessing your life as a 20-something, plus more with Debra Fileta on soul care, and how do you address personal shame after you’ve sinned?

Featured musical artist: Tauren Wells

Roundtable: Lessons Learned in Our 20s

For some of us on this week’s panel, our 20s provided new opportunities, fun adventures, and lots of growth; for others, that decade is loaded with regrets. Yet all of us agree that our 20s were filled with trial and error as we learned to navigate life. As you review your 20s, how can you assess them honestly and learn from your mistakes without beating yourself up? We’ll give advice based on our lessons learned.

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Culture: Caring for Your Soul (Part 2)

Millennials and Gen Z report unprecedented rates of burnout and exhaustion. When our to-do lists keep growing and our frustrations add up, how do we find strength and stamina to continue? Our friend Debra Fileta shares how to create life-giving rhythms of caring for your soul, and why doing so honors God. In part two of our discussion, she outlines how to establish good boundaries, maintain your inner world, and savor life.

Soul Care: Find Life-Giving Rhythms, Live Restored, Avoid Burnout, Discover Unspeakable Joy

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Inbox: What to Do With Sin and Shame

We tend to isolate ourselves when we sin, especially if we can’t shake the sense of shame that lingers. Is it possible to break free? Counselor Tim Sanford offers hope.

Link to Counseling Services

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Living out your faith in a dark world, plus Debra Fileta on Jesus’ example of soul care, and dating someone in a different life stage.

Soul Care: Find Life-Giving Rhythms, Live Restored, Avoid Burnout, Discover Unspeakable Joy

Featured musical artist: Zach Williams

Roundtable: When the World Is Messed Up

Inflammatory news headlines, political division, divorce, abuse, people denying their Christian faith. When our world feels especially dark, what’s the godliest and most loving way for Christians to respond? Our guests wrestle with this topic, discuss how to have hope, and show us where Jesus is in all the chaos.

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Culture: Caring for Your Soul (Part 1)

Millennials and Gen Z report unprecedented rates of burnout and exhaustion. When our to-do lists keep growing and our frustrations add up, how do we find strength and stamina to continue? Our friend Debra Fileta shares how to create life-giving rhythms of caring for your soul, and why doing so honors God. In part one, she discusses sources of burnout and how we can learn from Jesus’ example of rest.

Soul Care: Find Life-Giving Rhythms, Live Restored, Avoid Burnout, Discover Unspeakable Joy

Visit Debra’s Website

Inbox: Too Much Drama to Date?

They started dating after he picked her up from a car accident. But he’s currently in grad school and she just finished her master’s degree. With these and other factors at play, is pursuing a dating relationship the best move? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Processing sadness, plus how our bodies glorify our Creator, and should you barter with God?

Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship

Roundtable: When Sorrow Runs Deep

The loss of a loved one; betrayal by a trusted friend; local and international tragedies. We live in a broken world, and heartbreaking things happen. When grief and tragedy strike, how do you process the sadness? Is it possible to continue your work, your commitments, your routines as you seek to make sense of things? Our guests share how they’ve learned to find comfort from God in the midst of deep sorrow.

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Link to Counseling Services

Culture: How a Healthy Body and Mind Glorify God

The human body is incredibly complex. Science keeps revealing new truths about how God has designed us, leading to insights in how we can best steward how we’re made. Stephen Ko is a medical doctor, public health specialist and pastor. He offers motivation and methods for taking care of our physical and mental health, and why doing so is connected to our spiritual well-being.

Faith Embodied: Glorifying God with Our Physical and Spiritual Health

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Inbox: Can I Barter With God?

Our listener really wants to be married, but he also wants his dad to get saved. Is it OK to offer up a chance at marriage as a barter to God so his dad can come to Christ? Counselor Jerry Jones weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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When others don’t seem to understand you, plus the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, and God-honoring ways to spend your free time.

Featured musical artist: Hollyn

Roundtable: That’s Not What I Meant

We’ve all felt misunderstood — whether in our personalities, friendships, opinions or even intentions. So how do we respond when that happens? If you feel like people don’t get you, you’ll be encouraged to know you’re not alone. This week’s guests share personal stories and tips for navigating the frustrations of misunderstanding.

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Culture: How Should We Engage With A.I.?

Artificial intelligence is here to stay. From medicine to transportation to Bible translation, innovators rely on the marvels of A.I. to expedite searches, aggregate information, and push the boundaries of invention. But are there dangers that A.I. could kill creativity and even relationships? What does the Bible say about it? John Greco shares his researched perspective on using A.I. appropriately without letting it run our lives.

God, Technology, and the Christian Life

Article by John Greco: The Promise of AI

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Inbox: Is My Free Time Honoring God?

The time we call our own — away from work and other obligations — can be some of our most treasured moments. But does it matter that your free time is being used for God’s glory? If so, how can you be confident that it is? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

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The goal in dating, plus how to process the 2024 U.S. election, and is there too much intimacy in studying the Bible with your date?

Featured musical artist: Phil Wickham

Roundtable: The Purpose of Dating

Why should you date? Is it to casually have fun or to seek a marriage partner? What are the pitfalls of each, and is there a balance between the two? Our guests share their opinions on what dating should look like, what it means to get serious, and how to not get too worked up in the process.

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Culture: Confidence and Compassion for Election Season

The landscape of the 2024 election season is changing daily. What doesn’t seem to change is the collective mudslinging, hand-wringing and doomsday-predicting among candidates, pundits and voters. How can Christians rise above the fray and trust God in all things? How do we make God-honoring choices from the ones laid before us? And how do we love others in the process? Summit Ministries’ Dr. Jeff Myers helps us frame our perspective and navigate election season with confidence and grace.

Truth Changes Everything: How People of Faith Can Transform the World in Times of Crisis

Summit Ministries Website

Politics Without the Passion

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If you and your boyfriend or girlfriend want to grow spiritually, praying and reading Scripture together can be a great step. But is there a danger in becoming too spiritually intimate before marriage? Counselor Jerry Jones weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Being content in every circumstance, plus tips for connecting with your neighbors, and responding when someone confesses a sin struggle.

Featured musical artist: Je’kob

Roundtable: Finding Contentment

Opportunities to buy into the lie, “I’d be happy if I had (fill in the blank),” surround us everywhere we go. But what if there were a way to truly be content regardless of the circumstance or season? Our guests share their struggles with contentment and how they’ve learned to seek trust and gratitude instead.

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Culture: Neighborhood Watch

In a world of increasing isolation, it’s easy to overlook our neighbors. But what if you discovered creative opportunities to connect with and be a light to the people on your street and in your community? Chris and Elizabeth McKinney felt God’s call to do just that. They’re here this week to share their best strategies for becoming a friend to the people (literally) around you.

Neighborhoods Reimagined: How the Beatitudes Inspire Our Call to be Good Neighbors

Placed for a Purpose Podcast

Inbox: When a Friend Confesses Sin

What should you do if a friend confesses a sin struggle to you? Counselor George Stahnke weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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How to really get to know people, plus Kris Swiatocho gives advice to her 20-something self, and why are many Christians OK with gossip?

Featured musical artist: Darlene Zschech

Roundtable: Study Others to Show You Care

When you meet someone, he or she makes an impression on you. But truly getting to know someone takes intention, time and effort. Our guests discuss lessons they’ve learned in forming connections and going deeper in their understanding of others. They also share some of the hallmarks of a good friendship.

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Culture: Lessons From a Lifelong Single (Part 2)

Kris Swiatocho had a rough start as a young adult. She admits she wasn’t walking with the Lord, so after a season of partying and poor relationship choices, Kris saw the chance to join a Christian community — and took it. After witnessing what churches do well and not so well in ministering to the unmarried, she started The Singles Network Ministries. Looking back on all she’s learned, she shares advice she’d give to her young adult self.

Intentional Relationships for Singles: Prepare, Plan, Pursue, Propose

Visit Kris’s Website

Inbox: Why Are Christians OK With Gossip?

Does it seem like Christians in your church and friend groups are OK with gossip and white lies? Why is this, and what can we do about it? Counselor Angel Perez weighs in.

Guest: Angel Perez

Link to Counseling Services

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Don’t be fake while dating, plus Kris Swiatocho’s testimony as a single adult, and should a guy ask a girl out even after he’s been friendzoned?

Featured musical artist: Jeremy Rosado

Roundtable: Dating as the Real You

It’s great to date someone who’s comfortable in their own skin. So why do so many of us try to impress a date by acting like someone else? Whether we fake interest in their hobbies or we exaggerate (lie) about our accomplishments, we think becoming a version of someone they might like is better than being just plain old us. But no one wants to date a poser, so our panel delves into a spirited discussion on the topic and gives encouragement to be real, whatever the cost.

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Culture: Lessons From a Lifelong Single (Part 1)

Kris Swiatocho had a rough start as a young adult. She admits she wasn’t walking with the Lord, so after a season of partying and poor relationship choices, Kris saw the chance to join a Christian community — and took it. After witnessing what churches do well and not so well in ministering to the unmarried, she started The Singles Network Ministries. Today she speaks to singles around the world about friendship, dating, finding community, and following Jesus — whatever your relationship status.

Intentional Relationships for Singles: Prepare, Plan, Pursue, Propose

Visit Kris’s Website

Inbox: After She’s Friendzoned You

A girl at church has already friendzoned him. Should he still try to ask her out, or just let it be? Counselor Patrick Hill weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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A quiz to celebrate America’s birthday, plus Dr. Ken Wilgus on relating to your parents as an adult, and should you be passionate about your job?

Featured musical artist: Daniel Bashta

Roundtable: How Well Do You Know the U.S.A.?

How many Justices of the Supreme Court can you name? What was the last state admitted to the Union? What was the first U.S. capital city? In honor of Independence Day, we’re taking a quiz on these and other fun United States trivia questions. So grab a pen and paper, keep track of your answers, and test your knowledge of United States history and government.

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Culture: We’re All Adults Here

Getting along with your mom and dad as an adult has its challenges. What do your parents want from you, and what if they’re having a hard time letting go? Conversely, are you taking ownership of your life and responsibilities? Do you care about them and their interests? Dr. Ken Wilgus has counseled families for decades. He joins us this week to provide guidelines for healthy conversations and behaviors between parents and adult children.

Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children: Trusting God with the Ones You Love

Visit Ken’s Website

Inbox: Should I Feel “Called” to My Job?

You want fulfilling work, but does that mean you have to be passionate about your job? Lisa Anderson shares from her career experience.

Link to Counseling Services

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Women discuss the implications of modesty, plus more with Dr. Jake Porter on singles and sexuality, and can you save money in a spend-centric culture?

Guests: Georgia Dunham, Megan Linser, Taylor Loftus, Jake Porter, Glenn Lutjens

Featured musical artist: Kerrie Roberts

Roundtable: Men and Women Talk Modesty (Part 2)

Many of us heard about the importance of modesty growing up: “Dress appropriately.” “Don’t cause your friend to stumble.” “What would Jesus do?” But what is modesty, what’s the biblical instruction on it, and is it just about clothes (or a lack of them)? This week we conclude a two-part discussion on the underlying motivations and practical application of modesty. A panel of women shares how modesty is a matter of the heart, what they appreciate from brothers in Christ, and some of the challenges women face in the world of fashion.

Guests: Georgia Dunham, Megan Linser, Taylor Loftus

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Culture: Singles and Sexuality (Part 2)

What if sexuality is about so much more than having sex and not breaking the rules? What are the unique takeaways for singles in particular? Dr. Jake Porter is a therapist who has researched extensively on sexuality, especially as it manifests apart from marriage and sex. He joins us for a provocative discussion featuring findings from his own background and the state of singleness in the United States today.

Guest: Jake Porter

Featured resource: Rethinking Sexuality: God's Design and Why It Matters

Visit Jake's Website

Inbox: Saving Money in a Spending Culture

How can you save money when your friends and others are spending at the drop of a hat? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

Guest: Glenn Lutjens

Link to Counseling Services

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Men discuss the implications of modesty, plus Dr. Jake Porter on singles and sexuality, and what about dating couples who act married?

Featured musical artist: Nathan Tasker

Roundtable: Men and Women Talk Modesty (Part 1)

Many of us heard about the importance of modesty growing up: “Dress appropriately.” “Don’t cause your friend to stumble.” “What would Jesus do?” But what is modesty, what’s the biblical instruction on it, and is it just about clothes (or a lack of them)? This week we begin a two-part discussion on the underlying motivations and practical application of modesty. In part one, a panel of guys shares how modesty is a matter of the heart, what they appreciate from sisters in Christ, and their encouragement to girls who feel overlooked. (Next week, the women have their turn.)

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Culture: Singles and Sexuality (Part 1)

What if sexuality is about so much more than having sex and not breaking the rules? What are the unique takeaways for singles in particular? Dr. Jake Porter is a therapist who has researched extensively on sexuality, especially as it manifests apart from marriage and sex. He joins us for a provocative discussion featuring findings from his own background and the state of singleness in the United States today.

Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design and Why It Matters

Visit Jake’s Website

Inbox: Should a Dating Couple Act Married?

Is there a point in a dating relationship where a couple can and should act married? Why or why not? Counselor Jenny Coffey weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Link To Hope Restored

What will make this a great summer? Plus, a biblical approach to grief and trauma, and does sporadic Bible reading make you a bad Christian?

Featured musical artist: Aaron Shust

Roundtable: Summer Planning Tips

Summer is upon us, and that means long days, warm weather, outdoor activities and vacations (except for you southern hemisphere folks — sorry!). In order to maximize the season, should you plan your every decision or be as spontaneous as possible? Our guests share what they’re excited about doing this summer, how they pace themselves with summer obligations, and they’ll offer ideas for making summer unique, fun and fulfilling.

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Culture: Healing What You Can’t Erase

All of us have experienced grief, hardship, and even trauma. When your soul feels exhausted, where do you go for help? Christopher Cook is candid about how the death of his mother followed by an unexpected medical diagnosis sent him into a tailspin. He was faced with giving in or pushing through. Biblical truth plus concrete strategies for addressing toxic thoughts helped him choose the latter. Learn about it all in this week’s conversation.

Healing What You Can’t Erase: Transform Your Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health from the Inside Out

Inbox: Should I Read the Bible Daily?

If you don’t read the Bible every day, does that make you a terrible Christian? Counselor Rob Jackson weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Questions for the Boundless team, plus part two of Joshua Broome’s journey out of the porn industry, and interacting with LGBT coworkers.

Featured musical artist: Mosaic MSC

Roundtable: Your Questions, Our Answers

We’re mixing it up on this week’s Roundtable by answering questions you sent to us on a wide variety of topics. Some of what you’ll hear: Is love transactional? How do I move on from a situationship? Can I stay connected to siblings who live far away? Tune in for answers to these questions and more!

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Culture: My Journey Out of the Porn Industry (Part 2)

Joshua Broome was one of the porn industry’s top stars — but he was lonely, depressed, and without purpose. He eventually contemplated suicide, but an encounter with a bank teller put him on a different path. Where he went from there is the substance of his miraculous story. In part two of his testimony, Joshua shares about leaving the sex industry, meeting his future wife, and coming to Christ.

7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life: What My Journey from Porn Star to Preacher Taught Me About the Truth That Sets Us Free

Watch Our Bonus Interview with Joshua Broome

Inbox: Your Relationship With LGBT Coworkers

As a Christian, how can you interact with and show Christ’s love to coworkers who identify as LGBT? Our friend Jeff Johnston weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Being fun vs. serious in dating, plus part one of Joshua Broome’s journey out of the porn industry, and when a woman wants marriage but not kids.

Featured musical artist: Danen Kane

Roundtable: Balancing Fun and Intention in Dating

Some of us gravitate toward lightheartedness and fun, while others are naturally more measured and serious. When it comes to dating, how do you enjoy spending time with a person while also getting to know important information about them? Our guests share ideas for finding the balance between fun and facts in a growing relationship.

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Culture: My Journey Out of the Porn Industry (Part 1)

Joshua Broome was one of the porn industry’s top stars — but he was lonely, depressed, and without purpose. He eventually contemplated suicide, but an encounter with a bank teller put him on a different path. Where he went from there is the substance of his miraculous story. In part one of his testimony, Joshua shares how his difficult home life as a child and teen influenced decisions he made later on.

7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life: What My Journey from Porn Star to Preacher Taught Me About the Truth That Sets Us Free

Inbox: She Doesn’t Want Kids

Is it wrong if a woman wants to get married but doesn’t want kids? Counselor Kari A weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Mental health strategies for everyday life, plus more on how singles can make the most of today, and handling awkward same-gender friend dynamics.

Featured musical artist: Ginny Owens

Roundtable: Mental Health Self-Care

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Whether or not you have a particular mental health diagnosis, we all need to practice self-care in this area. Our panelists discuss guarding our minds and spirits with helpful strategies including good sleep, friendships, boundaries and more.

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Culture: Loving Singleness Today (Part 2)

There are two enemies of enjoying your single season: yesterday and tomorrow. When you fixate on either one for too long, you miss opportunities to make the most of today. Ryan Wekenman is a single young adult, pastor, and author of the book, “Single Today.” In part two of our conversation, he’ll answer questions sent in by show listeners.

Single Today: Conquer Yesterday’s Regrets, Ditch Tomorrow’s Worries, and Thrive Right Where You Are

Inbox: She’s Making Me Uncomfortable

She met a girl at a dance class who is acting in a way that makes our listener uncomfortable. Is this a reason for concern or suspicion? What should our listener do? Counselor Joannie DeBrito weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Choosing peace when you are angry, plus Ryan Wekenman challenges singles to make the most of today, and how should we respond when God seems silent?

Featured musical artist: James Peden

Roundtable: Choosing Peace Over Contention

You hear some news you don’t like, the person whose behavior drives you crazy just called you out, or you have to deal with a difficult family member. These situations are prime opportunities to get you riled up, so how do you prioritize peace when you’d rather lash out? Our guests describe their biggest triggers, why they react, and how they manage their emotions and behaviors with God’s help.

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Culture: Loving Singleness Today (Part 1)

There are two enemies of enjoying your single season: yesterday and tomorrow. When you fixate on either one for too long, you miss opportunities to make the most of today. Ryan Wekenman is a single young adult, pastor, and author of the book, “Single Today.” In part one of our conversation, he’ll discuss some of his own journey in singleness, plus why we’re so prone to fixate on regrets and fears instead of the joys right in front of us.

Single Today: Conquer Yesterday’s Regrets, Ditch Tomorrow’s Worries, and Thrive Right Where You Are

Inbox: When God Seems Silent

Most of us go through seasons where it feels like God is distant and refuses to answer our questions. When this happens, how can we stay hopeful and keep our hearts in a healthy place? Counselor Linda Miller weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Learning from a breakup, plus part two on finding joy in difficulty, and a correct interpretation of Jesus’ command to “turn the other cheek.”

Featured musical artist: Ellie Holcomb

Roundtable: Overcoming a “Square One” Dating Mindset

Going through a breakup can be one of the toughest things to work through emotionally. Many daters refer to it as feeling back at “square one.” But what if there’s a more constructive way to view a breakup than taking an all-or-nothing approach? Our panel talks about the pitfalls of a “square one” mindset in dating, and how breakups can actually teach you valuable relationship lessons.

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Culture: Finding Joy in a Messed-Up World (Part 2)

Everyone’s chasing happiness, but do you sometimes feel like everything around you is falling apart? The fact is: Life is hard, but God is good. Brant Hansen reminds us of this as he challenges us to live in joy despite our circumstances. In part two of our discussion, he’ll encourage you to laugh at yourself and live with eternal hope as a Christian.

Life is Hard. God is Good. Let’s Dance.: Experiencing Real Joy in a World Gone Mad

Inbox: Set Boundaries or Turn the Other Cheek?

Jesus said that if someone strikes you on the cheek, to turn the other one to them as well. But we also are to create good boundaries with others, so what’s a correct response when people treat us with disrespect and even violence? Counselor George Stahnke weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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How to use alone time productively, plus Brant Hansen on seeking joy in discouraging circumstances, and what to do when you feel devalued as a single.

Featured musical artist: About a Mile

Roundtable: The Value of Being Alone

If you’re an introvert, you cherish being alone, while extroverts may find alone time more challenging. Regardless of personality type, all of us can benefit from solitude — or be in danger of using it excessively or unwisely. Our guests discuss what helps them enjoy time alone, why silence can be a wonderful thing, and how they use solo time to recharge, process and create, rather than simply escape.

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Culture: Finding Joy in a Messed-Up World (Part 1)

Everyone’s chasing happiness, but do you sometimes feel like everything around you is falling apart? The fact is: Life is hard, but God is good. Brant Hansen reminds us of this as he challenges us to live in joy despite our circumstances. In part one of our conversation, he explains that he’s naturally a pessimist, and shares how he overcame a difficult childhood.

Inbox: When You Feel Looked Down On As a Single Adult

Many Christian singles feel as if marriage is put on a pedestal while their own relationship status is looked down upon. If you’re in that spot, how do you walk with God faithfully and maintain a sense of hope? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

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Fun Books and Serious Books: Episode 847

Reading both fun and thought-provoking books, plus Jordan Raynor answers career questions, and should you fall into a relationship or pursue one?

Featured musical artist: Jonathan Cain

Roundtable: Reading to Think — Or for Fun?

What’s on your reading list? What genres do you gravitate toward? Whether fiction or nonfiction, most books tend to either make us think and learn, or they allow us to relax and escape. It’s good to have a balance of both types, so our guests share their preferences, how they stretch their reading horizons, and what books they recommend you add to your reading lineup.

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Culture: The Sacredness of Secular Work (Part 2)

It’s easy to think your job matters to God only if you’re a pastor, missionary, or ministry worker. But what does God think of “secular” jobs? What if our jobs are just “average”? What if we’re not even sure what we want to do for a career? Jordan Raynor is an expert at helping people get connected to their calling, and this week he answers listener questions about navigating your workplace and career options.

The Sacredness of Secular Work: 4 Ways Your Job Matters for Eternity (Even When You’re Not Sharing the Gospel)

Inbox: Can a Relationship “Just Happen”?

When it comes to romantic journeys, some people seem to unexpectedly meet someone, while other relationships are the result of intentional pursuit. Is one way better? What’s the balance between providence and effort? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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Your willingness to change, plus Jordan Raynor on why your job’s important, and when a ministry leader is dating a non-Christian.

Featured musical artist: Love and the Outcome

Roundtable: What Do You Need to Change?

One of the most difficult yet rewarding things about adulthood is being honest with yourself when change needs to happen. Whether it’s making better choices, breaking bad habits, spending time with God, or improving your relationships, it’s healthy to own your stuff and start making adjustments. Our guests admit some of the struggles they’ve had to overcome, how they became aware of them, and what motivated them to push forward toward change and growth.

Boundless Article: I Want Honest Feedback - But Not Really

Boundless Article: God’s Sovereignty Doesn’t Excuse My Lazy

Boundless Article: God’s Promptness is Worth Practicing

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Culture: The Sacredness of Secular Work (Part 1)

It’s easy to think your job matters to God only if you’re a pastor, missionary, or ministry worker. But what does God think of “secular” jobs? What if our jobs are just “average”? What if we’re not even sure what we want to do for a career? Jordan Raynor is an expert at helping people get connected to their calling, and this week he joins us to explain why your job has eternal value, even if it seems insignificant.

The Sacredness of Secular Work: 4 Ways Your Job Matters for Eternity (Even When You’re Not Sharing the Gospel)

Inbox: When a Ministry Leader Is Dating a Non-Christian

She recently found out one of her friends, who happens to be a church ministry leader, is now dating a non-believer. Is it time for a hard conversation? Our counselor friend Kari weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Boundless Article: Why I’m Attracted to Guys Who Aren’t Good for Me

The influence of music, plus more from Jeanine Amapola on healthy perspectives, and Lisa Anderson shares life-altering moments in her walk with God.

Featured musical artist: Austin Stone Worship

Roundtable: The Power and Influence of Music

It’s nearly impossible to escape the influence of music in today’s world, and with so many streaming services, curating your own sound experience is easier than ever. While there are enough styles of music to suit every mood, it’s also wise to use discernment on how we consume and internalize the songs we hear. Our guests share what music they like, how they find it, what’s nostalgic and what’s new — then they finish by each listing some of their favorite songs.

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Culture: Healthy Perspectives for Young Adults (Part 2)

What does it look like to be a truly happy and healthy person? Podcaster and young adult influencer Jeanine Amapola shares what it took for her to become a better version of who God made her to be. In part two of our conversation, she addresses the need for good habits, how to make godly choices, and living with a sense of adventure.

Becoming Happy & Healthy: Real Life Advice on Friendship, Dating, Career, and Everything Else You Care About

Inbox: Lisa’s Big “God Moments”

The longer you walk with God, the more you will experience life-changing moments in your faith and how you live it out. Lisa Anderson recaps what some of those moments have been for her.

How long should my quiet time be? Plus Jeanine Amapola on healthy perspectives, and when someone ill withholds the news from family and friends.

Featured musical artist: Abandon

Roundtable: Am I Spending Enough Time With God?

Read the Bible. Go to church. Listen to worship music. Pray. All of these are encouraged in our Christian walk. But is there a “magic number” of how much time we should dedicate to God when our schedules are loaded with work, friends, family and other activities? Our guests share strategies that have helped them make time for God, what “enough time” looks like for them, and why prioritizing God matters.

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Culture: Healthy Perspectives for Young Adults (Part 1)

What does it look like to be a truly happy and healthy person? Podcaster and young adult influencer Jeanine Amapola shares what it took for her to become a better version of who God made her to be. In part one of our conversation, she shares about a life-changing trip she took in 2019, how to submit your expectations to God, and embracing the life He gave you with confidence.

Becoming Happy & Healthy: Real Life Advice on Friendship, Dating, Career, and Everything Else You Care About

Inbox: Should Someone Who’s Sick Inform Others?

When someone gets a serious diagnosis, should they tell family and friends or is it OK to keep quiet? Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in.

Unique ways to enjoy spring, plus trusting God with your vocational dreams, and why should we pray if God’s plan will happen anyway?

Featured musical artist: Hollyn

Roundtable: Spring is Here!

What’s your favorite part about spring? For some, it’s the warm weather; for others it may be flowers blooming, spring activities or something else. This week we gather around the table to share why we love this time of year, what we look forward to, and what common and unique activities might inspire you to make the most of spring.

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Culture: Making Sense of Your Big Dreams

Are your dreams big enough? Maybe you have big dreams but are afraid to admit them. You want to follow God anywhere, use your talents and passions, and see lives changed — but what about being comfortable? What about family? What about earning a paycheck and building your 401K? Wai Jia Tam felt the call as a teenager to help underserved children around the world. She also wanted to be a doctor, earn money and please her parents. She shares her incredible story of how God unfolded and enabled her dream one step at a time. God has used Wai Jia in ways she never imagined, and her encouragement to us is to never underestimate what God can do to move us for His purposes and kingdom.

Dream Brave: A Dare to Live by Faith When You Feel Too Small

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Articles by Wai Jia Tam

Inbox: Why Pray if God’s in Control?

We know that God is sovereign and His plans will prevail. If that’s the case, why should we pray? Counselor Jerry Jones weighs in.

How to maximize your weekends, plus Nancy Pearcey talks toxic masculinity, and should you tell a guy at church you want him to ask you out?

Featured musical artist: Kerrie Roberts

Roundtable: Ready for the Weekend!

We all look forward to the weekend, but how should we make the best use of our time and freedom? Our guests share what they love about Saturdays and Sundays, plus a few helpful ideas for prioritizing and managing our time, and common pitfalls to avoid that can gobble up precious hours and leave us feeling unproductive.

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Culture: The Truth About Toxic Masculinity

Men today hear cultural messages on what it means to be a man: make lots of money, drive a nice car, date a beautiful girl; in short, be powerful and successful. But these things are self-driven and the opposite of what God calls masculinity: leading selflessly; protecting, providing for, and serving others. Professor Nancy Pearcey is a well-known researcher and writer on this topic, and joins us to separate the truth from the lies when it comes to appropriate manifestations of manhood in our families, churches and communities.

The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes

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Inbox: Should I Tell Him I Like Him?

She’s known a guy at her church for two years and has hung out with him socially many times. She really wants him to ask her out, so is it time to admit her feelings? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Boundless Episode: I’ll Ask You Out If…: Episode 138

Boundless Article: Is it OK for a woman to ask out a man?

Know if the person you’re dating is maturing or not, plus overcoming body image issues, and favorite foods of the Boundless team.

Featured musical artist: David Dunn

Roundtable: Prioritizing Growth in Dating

Maturing together can be one of the greatest joys of dating someone. But how can you tell if the person you’re seeing is truly pursuing growth — or if they’re all talk and no action? Our panel shares strategies for assessing if your significant other is actually maturing, how to not be someone’s Holy Spirit, and why you need to be humble and teachable yourself.

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Culture: A Conversation About Body Image

Dr. Becky Taylor battled disordered eating and body image as a teenager and young adult — a struggle that still has ramifications in her life today. She’s now an eating disorder expert and professor at Colorado Christian University where she daily counsels young adults on body image issues of all kinds (e.g. not just food). In our conversation, she shows us how to embrace our God-given identities, how to recognize wrong perspectives, and where to start on a journey toward healing — including a powerful lesson from the children’s book “When God Made You.”

Table for Two: Biblical Counsel for Eating Disorders

Link to Counseling Services

Find Becky Taylor

Inbox: What’s Your Favorite Food?

We received a light-hearted question about our favorite foods. The entire Boundless team weighs in with our opinions!

What your style aesthetic says about you, plus finding value in entertainment, and how to be a better listener.

Featured musical artist: Nathan Tasker

Roundtable: Trendsetters and Old Souls

Fashion choices, home decor, life hacks, music and more. All of these are indicators of our culture — or our resistance to it. When it comes to being current or wishing for times past, where do you fit in? Our guests describe their place on the cultural continuum, talk through the pros and cons, and suggest how to appreciate people who are different from yourself.

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Culture: What Good Entertainment Teaches Us

We can learn a lot from the entertainment we consume — especially films and television. Understanding a culture, or someone’s unique experience, or even learning about history — all of these can be accomplished by watching a well-told story. This week our Plugged In experts address how movies can be good conversation starters, and they’ll give us some of their best recommendations to get us going.

Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family: How to Navigate a Media-Saturated World–and Why We Should

Link to Plugged In Website

Inbox: Am I Talking Too Much?

Our listener says that when she gets together with friends, she finds herself talking too much. She wants to be a better listener, but how? One of our counselors weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Identifying sneaky (and often accepted) idols, plus how to stay away from online scammers, and understanding the basics of holistic health.

Featured musical artist: Aaron Shust

Roundtable: Tearing Down Our Most Common Idols

We all have things we enjoy — and many of them are very good things. Maybe you love sports, or working out, or doing the job you do. Maybe you desire to be married, or maybe you have fun following your favorite celebrities or even Christian influencers on social media. But at what point do these things become idols? Are you afraid they’ve eclipsed your faith and even God himself in your own time and affections? Our guests describe some of the idols they’ve propped up, how they finally got honest with themselves, and what they did to reprioritize their hearts and attention.

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Culture: Protect Yourself From Online Scams

Identity theft. Social media scams. Bank account hacks. With so many opportunities to fall prey to online scammers, how do you keep yourself safe? Cybersecurity expert Rhett Saunders divulges the latest tricks and traps, and shares steps you can take to avoid being ripped off online.

The 40-Day Social Media Fast: Exchange Your Online Distractions for Real-Life Devotion

PDF: Tips for a Safe Online Life

Inbox: Taking Care of Your Temple

Living a healthy lifestyle is not just nutrition, sleep or mental health. It’s all of that and so much more. God cares about our bodies — not just our souls — so how do we follow biblical principles for treating our bodies as the temples He says they are? Counselor Patrick Hill weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Finding fun and inspiration in other women, plus Bailey Hurley on what to look for in a friend, and when you’re frustrated with where life has you.

Featured musical artist: All Sons & Daughters

Roundtable: Finding Quality Female Friends

Ladies, who’s someone from your friend group you can laugh and have fun with? And who inspires and challenges you? The truth is, we need both types of friends. This week, a group of women tells which of their friendships bring out the best in them, how they cultivate them, and why these types of friendships matter.

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Culture: Friendship That Goes the Distance

What’s the current state of your friendships? As a friendship coach, Bailey Hurley is passionate about helping people develop healthy relationships. She joins us this week to share strategic filters she applies for choosing friends, how to have realistic expectations of others, and what it looks like to be a giver and not just a taker.

Together Is a Beautiful Place: Finding, Keeping, and Loving Our Friends

Inbox: Should I Be Further Along in Life?

At age 25, our listener isn’t sure what he wants to do for a career. It’s to a point where he’s feeling aimless and frustrated. How can he figure out what kind of job he wants and if it’ll be enough to provide for a family? Counselor Joannie DeBrito weighs in.

Finding fun and inspiration in other men, plus Scott Kedersha on doing devotions as a dating couple, and how guys can serve single moms.

Featured musical artist: Love and the Outcome

Roundtable: Finding Quality Male Friends

Guys, who’s someone from your friend group you can laugh and have fun with? And who inspires and challenges you? The truth is, we need both types of friends. This week, a group of guys tells which of their friendships bring out the best in them, how they cultivate them, and why these types of friendships matter.

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Culture: Devotions for Dating Couples

Spiritual compatibility is the most important part of your dating relationship, but we’ve heard that going too deep spiritually with your date can force inappropriate intimacy. Is there a balance? Pastor Scott Kedersha from Harris Creek Baptist Church has written a devotional for couples who are dating or engaged. He’ll discuss healthy boundaries in praying with your date, how to study the Bible together, and why knowing a person’s spiritual patterns and beliefs is good intel for assessing marriage potential.

The Ready or Knot Prayer Guide: 100 Prayers for Dating and Engaged Couples

Inbox: Men Serving Single Moms

Our listener has many friends who are single mothers. He wants to reach out and offer practical help, but how can he do so without overstepping his bounds? Counselor Patrick Hill weighs in.

Help your married friends set you up, plus how to read the news with discernment, and thoughts on dating couples doing devotions together.

Featured musical artist: JJ Heller

Roundtable: Your Role in Being Set Up

It’s flattering when friends and family try to set you up. It can lead to a happy and successful dating relationship — or even marriage. At other times, it can lead to awkwardness and strained friendships. Our guests share their perspectives on the dos and don’ts of successful setups. With funny stories and practical takeaways, this conversation will give you tools to make your dating journey smoother and more fun.

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Culture: How to Navigate the News

Today’s news is littered with bias. Everyone has an agenda, and it’s hard to separate the facts from opinion, interpretation, and flat-out manipulation. How can we determine what’s actual news and ensure we’re getting all sides of a story? Paul Batura and Gary Schneeberger are both communications pros and news junkies, having worked in radio, newspapers, public relations and beyond. They’ll share their best tips for practicing discernment when taking in headlines and commentary from around the world.

A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World

Link to Daily Citizen

Inbox: Doing Devotions as a Couple

You and your boyfriend or girlfriend want to encourage growth in each other’s relationship with God, but should that involve praying and studying Scripture together? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

Improve your listening skills, plus breaking negative family patterns, and why should Christians dress modestly?

Featured musical artist: About a Mile

Roundtable: Improve Your Listening Skills

Listening is a lost art. It’s also a skill that requires focus, intention, and care for the other person. While some people are naturally better listeners, anyone can get better at making others feel heard. Our guests discuss their own struggles with listening and talk through ideas for improvement including focus, honest feedback, and how to handle interactions with a poor listener.

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Culture: Breaking Bad Family Cycles

We’ve all been affected by family brokenness. For some, it was our parents’ divorce. Others had a parent abandon them. Still others grew up in homes filled with anger, blame, shame or grief. With so much heartbreak and negative history, many young adults wonder if having their own family someday is even worth it. Members of our Focus on the Family counseling team give us hope for starting over, breaking cycles, and honoring God in the process.

Hope Again: When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade

Link to Counseling Services

Inbox: Does God Care What I Wear?

Christians talk about how it’s important to dress modestly, but why, and what does that actually mean? Counselor Joannie DeBrito weighs in.

Fun ideas for boosting your intelligence, plus Alisa Childers tackles more sneaky cultural lies, and is dating multiple people at once OK?

Featured musical artist: John Waller

Roundtable: Boost Your Intelligence

You don’t need to spend all your free time scrolling social media or binging Netflix. What if you resolved to improve your intelligence in 2024? Our guests share what areas they want to become more competent in this year and why. They’ll also discuss how they plan to make it happen without becoming performance-driven or arrogant.

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Culture: The World Is Lying to Us (Part 2)

Have you heard someone reference “their truth”? It may sound harmless — even affirming — but it’s a concept that is founded on a lie. Sadly, numerous untruths have infiltrated our cultural vocabulary, and sometimes even Christians don’t recognize how deceptive they are. Christian apologist and author Alisa Childers joins us for a candid conversation around unbiblical statements, platitudes and promises that sound good but are in fact dangerous. In part two she addresses the myths of “God just wants you to be happy,” “You shouldn’t judge,” and “It’s all about love.”

Live Your Truth and Other Lies: Exposing Popular Deceptions That Make Us Anxious, Exhausted, and Self-Obsessed

Inbox: Is Dating Multiple People OK?

Is it acceptable to date multiple people at the same time? Our host Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Staying inspired even when it’s tough, plus Alisa Childers tackles sneaky cultural lies, and should you move to a new state for a fresh start?

Featured musical artist: Tauren Wells

Roundtable: How Can I Stay Motivated?

We’re several weeks into the new year — and it’s already hard to sustain those big plans and goals we made on January 1 for starting something great or stopping something unhealthy. Staying the course is no easy task, but what if there are ways to remain inspired and continue making progress, even on days when you feel like giving up? Our panel discusses how they’re staying motivated this year.

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Culture: The World Is Lying to Us (Part 1)

Have you heard someone reference “their truth”? It may sound harmless — even affirming — but it’s a concept that is founded on a lie. Sadly, numerous untruths have infiltrated our cultural vocabulary, and sometimes even Christians don’t recognize how deceptive they are. Christian apologist and author Alisa Childers joins us for a candid conversation around unbiblical statements, platitudes and promises that sound good but are in fact dangerous. In part one she covers the myths of “Live your truth,” “You are enough,” and “You should put yourself first.”

Live Your Truth and Other Lies: Exposing Popular Deceptions That Make Us Anxious, Exhausted, and Self-Obsessed

Inbox: Should I Move to a New State?

Our listener wants to move somewhere with a higher percentage of young adults who love the outdoors and hiking. But is this enough reason to uproot and relocate? Boundless producer John Peardon weighs in.

Finding activities in colder months, plus Mark Bates outlines the essentials of Christianity, and is playing lots of video games a sin?

Featured musical artist: Zach Williams

Roundtable: Don’t Wish Winter Away

Now that the holidays are over and the hustle and bustle has died down, the temptation to hibernate is strong. The days are short and cold, activities are limited, and creativity and motivation easily give way to Netflix and napping. Can you make the most of the winter months, both inside and outdoors? Our guests offer their best ideas.

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Culture: Marks of a True Christian

Lots of people call themselves Christians. But even the Bible says that not everyone who claims Christ belongs to Him. So how can you know if you’re truly saved? What are the essentials we must believe and do? Pastor Mark Bates breaks down the necessary things for true Christians to agree on.

True Community

The Focused Pastor

Inbox: How Much Time Playing Video Games Is Sinful?

If you enjoy playing video games, how do you gauge if the amount of time you play them is too much? Can it even become sinful? And are certain games just flat-out wrong to play? Counselor Jeff Brown weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Link to Plugged In Website

Bringing optimism into 2024, plus Kait and JJ Tomlin answer your questions, and what if your church lacks a ministry to singles?

Boundless Guides to Marrying Well

Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship

Roundtable: A Healthy Perspective for the New Year

People are forecasting growth and setting goals for 2024, but what does it look like to bring genuine hope into your new year? Our guests discuss setting a healthy framework for the coming months, and how they (and we) can focus on blessings and opportunities rather than the discouraging headlines and circumstances around us. Whether you’re a natural optimist or more prone to cynicism and discouragement, this conversation will help.

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Culture: “Heart of Dating” Hosts Kait & JJ Tomlin (Part 2)

You may know Kait Warman as the host of the popular “Heart of Dating” podcast. Now married to JJ Tomlin, Kait is back on our show (with JJ this time). Last week they shared their story of meeting, dating, and marrying, and this week they answer relationship questions from our listeners.

Boundless Guides to Marrying Well

Link to Heart of Dating Website

Inbox: No Church Ministry for Singles

You long for connection with other singles at your church, but what can you do if your congregation doesn’t have a dedicated space for that — especially for those who are post-college? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Reasons to go on a missions trip, plus Kait and JJ Tomlin from the “Heart of Dating” podcast, and how can you measure spiritual maturity?

Featured musical artist: Hollyn

Roundtable: Why Go on a Missions Trip?

Churches and organizations are already advertising opportunities to join them on missions trips next year. Should you give one a try? Our guests have seen firsthand the fruit of giving their time and talent in other cultural contexts, and give helpful insight into what to expect, how to find a good fit, and what missions trips are and aren’t .

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Culture: “Heart of Dating” Hosts Kait & JJ Tomlin (Part 1)

You may know Kait Warman as the host of the popular “Heart of Dating” podcast. Now married to JJ Tomlin, Kait is back on our show (with JJ this time) so they can tell their story of meeting, overcoming assumptions and an age difference, preparing for marriage, and now doing ministry together. Heads-up: Next week they’ll answer your dating questions.

Resource Offer: Boundless Guides to Marrying Well

Link to Heart of Dating Website

Inbox: Is My Faith Growing?

Spiritual maturity is essential for Christians, but it’s a process. How do you know if there’s growth in your life, and how do you actively pursue it? Pastor Mark Bates offers advice.

A 2023 goals report card, plus firsthand help for addiction recovery (part two), and can you study the Bible without it getting repetitive?

Featured musical artist: Phil Wickham

Roundtable: What Happened to Our 2023 Resolutions?

Do you remember what your goals were at the beginning of the year? Our team looked back at our aspirations for 2023 and how (if?) we actually saw them through. We share the highs and lows of this year, how we hoped to grow, what we wanted to accomplish, and what we might change heading into 2024,

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Culture: An Inside Look at Addiction (Part 2)

Addiction is no small thing, and one of the most painful experiences is falling prey to it, or seeing a friend or family member do so. Addicts either don’t think they have a problem, or assume it’s something to “fix” if they can muster up the willpower — but it goes so much deeper than that. Dr. Ken Harmon and Dr. Trent Langhofer, both former addicts, are now pastors and recovery experts whom God is using to help others. In part two of our conversation, they share the dos and don’ts of helping someone trapped in addiction.

Healing the Scars of Addiction: Reclaiming Your Life and Moving Into a Healthy Future

Link to Counseling Services

Inbox: Does Your Bible Reading Seem Repetitive?

Is there a way to read the Bible or devotional books without them feeling repetitive? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.

Boundless Advent Devotional

Pastors’ tips for finding a great small group, plus firsthand help for addiction recovery, and should a guy give a girl a gift on the first date?

Featured musical artist: Je’kob

Roundtable: How to Choose a Small Group

We talk a lot about how one of the best ways to connect to other believers and truly grow is by “making the big church small.” Getting involved in a small group can do just that. But how do you find a small group that’s a good fit? And what makes a small group successful? Two pastors with tons of experience in Christian community and discipleship share what makes a good small group, how groups can go deeper, different types of groups to try, and when to walk away and try something else.

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Culture: An Inside Look at Addiction (Part 1)

Addiction is no small thing, and one of the most painful experiences is falling prey to it, or seeing a friend or family member do so. Addicts either don’t think they have a problem, or assume it’s something to “fix” if they can muster up the willpower — but it goes so much deeper than that. Dr. Ken Harmon and Dr. Trent Langhofer, both former addicts, are now pastors and recovery experts whom God is using to help others. In part one of our conversation, they share their stories and give common misconceptions about addiction and recovery.

Healing the Scars of Addiction: Reclaiming Your Life and Moving Into a Healthy Future

Link to Counseling Services

Inbox: Should Guys Give a Gift on a First Date?

Is bringing a gift on your first date appropriate? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Boundless Advent Devotional

Killer Christmas party ideas, plus Mark Ballenger on prioritizing God while dating, and a question about same-sex attraction and celibacy.

Featured musical artist: Darlene Zschech

Roundtable: Christmas Party Planning

It’s that time of year: decorations, holiday tunes, Christmas cookies, ugly sweaters, and yes, Christmas parties. Most people can host a ho-hum Christmas party, but if you want yours to be next-level, you need this conversation. Our party people share tips for including introverts, melding friend groups, serving food, curating music, making memories and more.

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Culture: God’s Role in Your Dating Life

If you’ve ever watched the popular YouTube channel ApplyGodsWord.com , you’ve seen Mark Ballenger offer biblical dating and marriage advice. This week he shares his personal stories, plus how to overcome past hurts, blow past preconceived notions, and keep God at the center of all your dating decisions.

Christ-Centered Dating: Pursuing a Relationship That Glorifies God

Watch Mark’s YouTube Channel

Mark’s Website

Our listener struggles with same-sex attraction and is wondering if this means he’s destined to remain celibate forever. Gender and sexuality expert Jeff Johnston weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Boundless Advent Devotional

Hear Jeff Johnston’s Testimony

Find Articles by Jeff Johnston

How singles can connect with kids, plus more with Michael Johnson on dating must-dos, and how to deal with friends who’ve gotten married.

Featured musical artist: Jeremy Rosado

Roundtable: Is Being Good with Kids Required for Marriage?

Some singles consider themselves great with kids, while others find that children make them uncomfortable. But is being good with children a prerequisite for being a healthy spouse? We interviewed some people who love children on ways you can learn to be more comfortable around kids, and why doing so is beneficial for marriage.

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Culture: Dating to Find a Spouse (Part 2)

Dating should be fun, but when stakes are high (like actually looking for a mate), things can easily get complicated. How can you be sure you’re dating in a way that will lead to a godly marriage? Our friend Michael Johnson’s new book breaks it all down, helping Christian daters get clarity and intention in how to make dating count. In part two of our discussion, he’ll address ways to guard against sexual temptation, the need for good friends, and whether or not you’re ready to date.

Date Like You Know What You’re Doing: Your DatePrep Guide

Future Marriage University

Inbox: When Your Friends Have Gotten Married

How do you move forward when you feel abandoned by your friends who’ve gotten married, and you’re still single? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Guest: Lisa Anderson

Article: Friends Beyond Marriage, Part 1

Article: Friends Beyond Marriage, Part 2

Link to Counseling Services

Boundless Advent Devotional

Favorite Thanksgiving traditions, plus Michael Johnson on dating must-dos, and what if you strongly disagree with your siblings’ choices?

Featured musical artist: Daniel Bashta

Roundtable: Our Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many (well, Americans, at least). To help you celebrate, we took a lighthearted look at some of our most treasured Turkey Day traditions. We discuss holiday food (the debate: stuffing or dressing?), favorite activities, general vibes, and how we emphasize thankfulness with our families and friends.

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Culture: Dating to Find a Spouse (Part 1)

Dating should be fun, but when stakes are high (like actually looking for a mate), things can easily get complicated. How can you be sure you’re dating in a way that will lead to a godly marriage? Our friend Michael Johnson’s new book breaks it all down, helping Christian daters get clarity and intention in how to make dating count. In part one of our conversation, he’ll share fun (read: both amazing and awkward) stories from his own dating experience, plus how to spot a Mr. or Ms. Wrong, and why dating can actually be fun.

Date Like You Know What You’re Doing: Your DatePrep Guide

Future Marriage University

Inbox: When You Disagree with Your Siblings’ Choices

It’s tough when your sibling makes a life choice that goes against your core convictions. When that happens, how do you respond? Is it possible to stand for truth and still love your brother or sister? Counselor Angel Perez weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Boundless Advent Devotional

When going deep with others is difficult, plus handling rough family dynamics during the holidays, and bitterness over being left out.

Featured musical artist: Kerrie Roberts

Roundtable: When a Relationship Feels Shallow

Some friendships bring instant connection. You both have something in common and you hit it off. Soon you’re able to be real, challenging and sharpening each other. But for others, no matter how hard you try, the connection or the will to go deep just isn’t there. This can happen with family, too — or even a boyfriend or girlfriend. What do you do when it feels like a relationship lacks a heart and mind connection? That’s the question we get to the bottom of this week.

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Culture: Family Doesn’t Guarantee Holiday Happiness

Holiday hype promises warmth, family and nostalgia, but family gatherings can be anything but fun if you have to face that relative. If your family is less than picture perfect, how do you survive? Can you celebrate without hurt, resentment, confrontation or even an all-out war? Counselor Tim Sanford offers practical ways to manage expectations, establish boundaries and keep the peace, even around the most challenging family members.

Forgive for Real: Six Steps to Forgiving

Just Annoying, or Truly Unsafe? How to Navigate Get-Togethers with Difficult Family

Inbox: No Room in the Apartment

She was planning to move out with friends, but then they got a place without her. She found out after the fact and wants to know how to move on from feeling betrayed. Counselor Linda Miller weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

When your beliefs are challenged at work, plus Madi Prewett Troutt talks “The Bachelor,” love and singleness, and how to lean on God after a breakup.

Featured musical artist: David Dunn

Roundtable: When Your Workplace Challenges Your Convictions (Part 2)

Managing the daily grind at work is hard enough, but it’s particularly challenging when the environment is hostile to your faith and convictions. It’s not unheard of to see Christians ridiculed, canceled, pressured or even fired for standing up for what they believe. How should this kind of workplace culture be navigated? Our guests come from fields in education, medicine, mental health and the corporate world, and have experienced ideological challenges on the job. They continue a great discussion from last week on how to stay true to your convictions in an increasingly hostile world.

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Culture: Beyond “The Bachelor” With Madi Prewett Troutt

In 2020, Madi Prewett Troutt became a both beloved and maligned contestant on TV’s “The Bachelor.” Her season in the public eye taught her much, especially what love is — and what it isn’t. She shares lessons learned from the show, dating in high school, marrying her husband, Grant, and most importantly — from God himself. Get Madi’s take on how to get the love you want instead of what will never last.

The Love Everybody Wants: What You’re Looking For Is Already Yours

Inbox: God Will Get You Through Your Breakup

Breakups aren’t easy, especially when you had high expectations for the relationship. People tell you to “lean on God” to deal with the pain, but what does that look like? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

When your beliefs are challenged at work, plus how introverts can win on the job, and balancing your priorities with your family’s needs.

Featured musical artist: Nathan Tasker

Roundtable: When Your Workplace Challenges Your Convictions (Part 1)

Managing the daily grind at work is hard enough, but it’s particularly challenging when the environment is hostile to your faith and convictions. It’s not unheard of to see Christians ridiculed, canceled, pressured or even fired for standing up for what they believe. How should this kind of workplace culture be navigated? Our guests come from fields in education, medicine, mental health and the corporate world, and have experienced ideological challenges on the job. They spark a great discussion on how to stay true to your convictions in an increasingly hostile world.

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Culture: Introverts at Work

Are extroverts more successful in their careers? Listening to workplace lore, you’d assume that it’s easier for extroverts to get ahead, make friends, influence others, and be recognized on the job. Sometimes that’s true — but introverts, take heart. Introvert Dr. Mike Bechtle says that introverts have unique gifts and temperaments that can spell success on the job. Whether you’re an introvert or you want to better understand your introverted friends and coworkers, you’ll be encouraged by this discussion.

The Introvert’s Guide to Success in the Workplace: Becoming Confident in a Culture of Extroverted Expectations

Inbox: When Your Family Needs You

You want to focus on your own projects, priorities and friendships, but your family sometimes needs your help. How should you respond when things feel out of balance? Counselor Linda Miller gives a few tips.

Finding hobbies beyond entertainment, plus the testimony of worship leader Stephen McWhirter, and when you feel burned out from loving others.

Featured musical artist: Aaron Shust

Roundtable: Purposeful Hobbies

A new show to binge, a football score to check, and then some gaming (got to level up!). These pastimes are fun, but in an entertainment-saturated world, how can we balance our go-to media interests with hobbies that are more productive? Our guests open up about their struggles with consuming too much entertainment — and how they’re learning to stretch their minds and skills in other directions.

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Link to Plugged In Website

Culture: Stephen McWhirter’s Journey From Meth to Ministry

Before Stephen McWhirter became known for the song “Come Jesus Come,” he spent a long season openly hating God. Growing up watching his dad, a pastor, abuse Stephen’s mom, Stephen wanted nothing to do with Christians. He turned to drugs, and for over a decade they consumed his life. But that’s where God met him. Hear Stephen tell how God redeemed his broken story and gave him a platform to show others the path to true freedom.

The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

Stephen’s Music

Inbox: Burned Out From All the Takers

Ever feel like you’re giving your time and energy to everyone else, but getting nothing in return? If loving others is leaving you exhausted, counselor Jerry Jones offers hope.

Link to Counseling Services

Determining if you and your date align in matters of faith, plus female execs help women succeed, and pursuing a woman post-breakup.

Featured musical artist: Mosaic MSC

Roundtable: Are You Spiritually Compatible?

You and the person you’re dating may both be Christians, but that doesn’t guarantee you’re compatible. What are your theological disagreements? Does their spiritual maturity matter? What about worship style or church experience? Our panel gives their best advice to help you determine what’s important to stay in sync spiritually with your significant other.

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Culture: Helping Women Succeed in the Workforce

Today’s career landscape has exploded with new opportunities for women, but that doesn’t mean success isn’t hard-won. Three female execs and business owners who’ve been there spearhead a discussion on how to be a successful working woman and leader while honoring God and achieving work-life balance.

The Way We Work: Taking Charge of Your Own Success

4-Word Women

Inbox: What If She Just Ended a Relationship?

He’s been on a couple dates, but both women recently came out of dating relationships. He’s wondering: Should a guy pursue a woman if she just ended a relationship with someone else? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

When you’re ignored or unwelcome at church, plus dating after trauma, and should you date someone who’s recently divorced?

Featured musical artist: Danen Kane

Roundtable: When People at Church Ignore You

Have you ever visited a church only to have no one shake your hand or say hello? Maybe you haven’t been included in conversation, asked a question, or invited to participate. Most of us have faced some version of this. When it happens, what should you do? Walk out the door forever, snub people in return, or try something else? We talk about the awkward and disappointing effects of not feeling welcome at church, and offer suggestions for how to handle it short- and long-term.

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Culture: Dating After You’ve Experienced Trauma

Whether it’s childhood trauma, circumstantial trauma or trauma related specifically to a past relationship, picking yourself up and moving on is no easy task. How do you know you’re ready to date after such an experience or season? Counselors Angel Perez and Kari Aho have experienced trauma and currently counsel many clients navigating these tricky waters. They’ll define trauma, suggest first steps, identify roadblocks, and outline healthy ways to re-enter the dating scene.

From Trauma to Transformation: A Path to Healing and Growth

Inbox: What If He’s Been Divorced?

She discovered that the guy she’s dating was recently divorced. Where does she go from here, and what does she need to know? Counselor Kari Aho weighs in, sharing how she addressed this when dating her husband.

Link to Counseling Services

Ways to be a good gift giver, plus a sex Q&A with Dr. Juli Slattery, and is a second date recommended if the first one didn’t go well?

Featured musical artist: Ginny Owens

Roundtable: Creative Gift Giving

Yes, Christmas is coming, but you don’t have to wait until the holidays to learn how to give good gifts. Even if gifts isn’t your love language, you’ll be inspired by this conversation to be more generous and creative in blessing others. Our guests share their gift-giving and -receiving experiences, what gifts have meant a lot to them and why, and how to think out of the box when considering gifts for friends, family and everyone in between.

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Culture: Dr. Juli Slattery Answers Questions About Sex

We asked you to submit your questions about sex and sexuality, and this week Dr. Juli Slattery is here to answer them. Offering clinical expertise, biblical wisdom and practical application, Juli answers questions including: how to talk about sex when you’re engaged to be married, how to navigate a relationship with someone who has a sexual past, sexuality and singleness, loving your LGBT friends while affirming God’s design, and more.

Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design and Why It Matters

Article: What’s the Purpose of Sexuality if I’m Single

Article: Promise Rings and Purity Talks Aren’t Enough

Article: Is It OK to Masturbate?

Inbox: Should I Try a Second Date?

If a first date didn’t go well, should you give a second one a chance? How do you know if it’s worth it? Counselor Angel Perez weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Creating a useful wedding registry, plus Peter Mutabazi’s journey from street kid to foster dad, and do most adults know if they want kids?

Featured musical artist: James Peden

Roundtable: Wedding Registry Advice

One of the most iconic tasks of the engagement season is setting up a wedding registry. But if you hop online and haphazardly add items, or run around a store with a scanner like your life depends on it, you’ll soon second-guess if you’re doing the whole registry thing right. (You’ll also be downright exhausted.) For advice on putting together a thoughtful and practical registry, we asked several of our newlywed friends to share lessons learned, out-of-the-box ideas, and how to avoid offending gift-givers. They also discuss gifts they got that have proven especially meaningful.

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Culture: From Street Kid to Single Dad

As a child in Uganda, Peter Mutabazi experienced life in a violent home. He escaped and ran hundreds of miles away to Kampala, where he lived on the streets. He survived this way for years until a young man showed him kindness; this small encounter changed everything. Now living in the United States, Peter is a foster and adoptive dad in addition to running a business and working in the nonprofit world. His story will inspire you as a reminder that God can redeem even the most broken situations.

Now I Am Known: How a Street Kid Turned Foster Dad Found Acceptance and True Worth

Inbox: Do You Want Kids or Not?

Do most people know if they eventually want children? How much should having kids be prioritized, especially when so many young adults are delaying marriage? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

The advice we need most, plus Steve and Candice Watters tell the Boundless origin story, and how to effectively ask a girl out.

Featured musical artist: Ellie Holcomb

Roundtable: Where Do You Need Advice?

As we celebrate 25 years since the launch of Boundless.org , our guests tell how they first heard about Boundless. They’ll also share the ways they’ve benefited personally from Boundless content, areas in which they need advice, and how to prioritize growth as a young adult. Finally, they list some of their favorite show moments through the years.

The Dating Manifesto: A Drama-Free Plan for Pursuing Marriage With Purpose

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Culture: Steve & Candice Watters Tell the Boundless Story

Have you ever wondered how Boundless got started? Or where the name Boundless came from? Boundless founders Steve and Candice Watters join us for a special conversation to answer these questions and more. They’ll also share their thoughts on how the world has changed for young adults since Boundless launched in 1998.

The Dating Manifesto: A Drama-Free Plan for Pursuing Marriage With Purpose

Inbox: Ways to Ask a Girl Out

When pursuing a girl, what are ways to be upfront about asking her out — without being creepy? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

Stories of porn addiction recovery, plus finding belonging as a Christian, and how to know if your boyfriend is spiritually mature.

Featured musical artist: Liz Vice

Roundtable: Overcoming Porn Addiction (Part 2)

Pornography addiction is increasingly common today, even among Christians. It’s a struggle many don’t want to admit, and freedom often feels out of reach. But our guests have broken the pornography cycle, and they join us this week to share more from the stories they began last week, including what worked (and what didn’t) and why through God’s grace, freedom from sexual sin is possible.

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Link to Counseling Services

Culture: Fitting Into the Family of God

Katy McCown and her family moved six times in 10 years thanks to her husband’s NFL career. Uprooting yet again, her feelings of loneliness were acute. As an antidote, she had to aggressively pursue community at church and in smaller circles. She’ll share some of her best tips for making it work, with Scriptural applications for plugging in, welcoming others, and carrying friendships into a new season.

She Belongs: Finding Your Place in the Body of Christ

Inbox: Is My Boyfriend Spiritually Mature?

Her boyfriend is 20 years old and she’s wondering if his maturity is “on par” for his age. She’s nervous about predicting the health of their relational future with little data. How much spiritual maturity should she expect from him right now? Counselor Jerry Jones weighs in.

Stories of porn addiction recovery, plus how God saved a marriage from pornography, and when to talk about past traumas in a dating relationship.

Featured musical artist: About a Mile

Roundtable: Overcoming Porn Addiction (Part 1)

Pornography addiction is increasingly common today, even among Christians. It’s a struggle many don’t want to admit, and freedom often feels out of reach. But our guests have broken the pornography cycle, and they join us this week to share their stories: what worked (and what didn’t) and why through God’s grace, freedom from sexual sin is possible.

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Link to Counseling Services

Culture: When Porn Shows Up on Your Honeymoon

Mark and Rosie Makinney were on their honeymoon when a terrible secret was discovered — Mark was addicted to pornography. Rosie confronted him and together they began a journey to see if Mark was serious about his sin and if their marriage could be saved. You’ll hear their incredible testimony of God’s redemption, plus Mark’s no-holds-barred account of what he had to give up to finally crush porn’s hold on him.

Fight for Love: How to Take Your Marriage Back from Porn

Hope Restored

Inbox: When To Reveal Trauma to Your Date

Everything from past sexual experiences to self-harm, abuse and other traumas can be hard to discuss when dating. If you’ve made decisions you deeply regret, when is the right time to bring them up in a relationship? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

When you need a dating “time out,” plus Q&A with Tovares and Safa Grey, and how to respond when your gay friends ask you to affirm their choices.

Featured musical artist: Jonathan Cain

Roundtable: How to Pause Your Dating Life

Dating can be exciting, but for certain reasons you may need to occasionally take a break. How do you know when a pause is necessary? And how long should it be? Our guests share the benefits they’ve seen in seasons of flying solo, and how to make a break work best for you. Oh, we also talk about how to not over-spiritualize non-dating or use it as an excuse for passive behavior or bitterness.

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Culture: Q&A With Tovares and Safa Grey

Our friends Tovares and Safa Grey, founders of Godly Dating 101, have returned — this time in person! They address the most common dating questions they get from followers, the biggest mistakes singles make in waiting for a spouse, and lessons they’ve learned since tying the knot.

Link to Godly Dating 101

Inbox: When a Gay Friend Asks for Affirmation

You have a gay friend who asks for your support of their sexual choices. Amid intense cultural pressure and the desire to love your friend, how do you respond in a God-honoring way? Gender and sexuality analyst Jeff Johnston weighs in.

When friends and family urge you to date, plus Hannah Schermerhorn on lessons she learned in singleness, and being a sympathetic listener.

Featured musical artist: Love and the Outcome

Roundtable: Feeling Pressured to Date

Friends and family are our biggest cheerleaders, but it’s unhelpful when they keep asking, “Have you found someone yet?” If you’ve fielded that question for what seems like the thousandth time, what can you do? We share ideas for responding with grace when others pressure you to date.

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Culture: One Woman’s Singleness Journey

For Hannah Schermerhorn, being single felt like admitting failure. After a broken engagement, she struggled to put the pieces of her heart together. But through that journey, she learned singleness can actually be a wonderful season with unexpected blessings. She joins us to tell her story, including an assurance that being a single adult doesn’t make you a second-class citizen.

A Single Life to Live: Stop Waiting for Your Life to Begin and Thrive Where God Has You Today

Inbox: How Can I Listen to a Friend’s Problem?

When anyone approaches our listener with a problem, he finds himself wanting to give advice rather than listening and showing compassion. How can he beef up his listening skills? Counselor Linda Miller weighs in.

Discussing how we spent the summer, plus Covenant Eyes’ Sam Black on the church’s role in porn recovery, and how do you stop a panic attack?

Featured musical artist: Audio Adrenaline

Roundtable: Did You Have a Productive Summer?

Now that summer is coming to a close, it’s time to take stock: What went well with this season of longer and supposedly carefree days, and what do you wish you’d done differently? Lisa and our guests started out with high hopes and open calendars, and now admit their share of both highlights and disappointments. If you wish your summer had gone differently (or you’re discouraged heading into fall), we’ll give a few ideas for redeeming the remaining days and staying hopeful for the months to come.

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Culture: Why Porn Addicts Need the Church

Sam Black is director of recovery education at Covenant Eyes, a trusted ministry designed to help people in their journey out of porn addiction. Sam shares his story and provides reasons and ways the church must (and can) be a safe place of recovery for addicts. Join us for this hopeful and practical conversation about the power of vulnerable community done right.

The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong About Pornography and How to Fix It

Find the Victory App

Inbox: How to Stop a Panic Attack

Whenever our listener faces a stressor – whether it’s money, work or relationships – he finds himself battling a full-blown panic attack. What can he do? Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in.

Recognizing God in daily life, plus cultivating a good relationship with your parents, and what to do when you disagree with your parents’ advice.

Featured musical artist: David Dunn

Roundtable: Seeing God’s Hand in Everyday Life

We look at big, life-changing events and say, “Only God could’ve done that!” But what about the everyday moments? What about the situations that seem entirely ordinary? Is God in those, too? This week we’re talking about the many ways we’re currently seeing God’s hand in our lives, and we’ll give you a few ideas for recognizing Him in yours as well.

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Culture: Do You Get Along With Your Parents?

One of the hardest parts about becoming an adult is navigating the tricky relational shift with your parents. You want to honor and respect them, but what if they still treat you like a kid? What if you struggle to understand their lifestyle or decisions? What if they’re a bit too clingy or nosy? For Rhonda Stoppe and her son Brandon, the journey has had plenty of ups, downs, and lightbulb moments along the way. In our conversation, they offer hope for a healthy, mature and balanced parent-child relationship. In fact, they’ll even argue that parents and their adult children can (gasp!) become friends.

Moms Raising Sons to Be Men: Guiding Them Toward Their Purpose and Passion

Rhonda’s Website

Inbox: When You Don’t Like a Parent’s Advice

Your parents may mean well, but what happens when you flat-out disagree with their advice? Is this a time to take it, ignore it, or call them out? Counselor Joannie DeBrito weighs in.

Butting into a friend’s dating life, plus making church a haven for victims of abuse, and what if your best friend doesn’t like your other friends?

Featured musical artist: Austin Stone Worship

Roundtable: Getting Involved in Your Friend’s Dating Life

Your friend is dating and you see something in the relationship that concerns you. Is it time to speak up? If so, how? How much input should you have in friends’ relationships, anyway? Our guests (one married, one engaged, one single) offer pointers on how to “meddle with grace” in situations like these.

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Culture: Is Church a Safe Place for the Abused?

Dr. James Reeves felt God call him to make the church he pastored a place of healing for those who’ve been sexually abused. The impact of the church’s ministry has been felt throughout the Dallas community since its inception, and now it is leading the way for other churches to follow suit. Dr. Reeves and Focus on the Family counselor Geremy Keeton discuss why church should be the safest place for those who’ve been abused, and what it looks like to make that happen.

The Fearless Series Website

The Wounded Heart

Link to Counseling Services

Link to Articles for Help for Abusive Relationships

Inbox: Best Friend vs. Other Friends

Your best friend feels he or she doesn’t fit in with your other friends, and isn’t afraid to say so. Is this a problem with your bestie or with everyone else? How can you discuss this in a loving and constructive manner? Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in.

Struggling to find your dream job, plus recovery from religious trauma, and when you’re in a relationship but have a crush on someone else.

Featured musical artist: Vertical Worship

Roundtable: What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

Figuring out your career path can be intimidating, and it’s rarely a straight line of opportunities and decisions. Few of us knew for certain what we wanted to do upon graduating from college, and some of us still haven’t found our career sweet spot. What’s the answer? Is it trial and error? Taking another career assessment? Prayer and fasting? All of the above? Our roundtable guests have been there, and they infuse this week’s conversation with practical tips and encouragement for trusting God with our vocational futures.

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Culture: Hope After Spiritual Trauma

Most Christians have at some point experienced a version of church hurt. In many cases, it’s been emotionally and spiritually traumatic. Whether it’s abuse, rejection, betrayal, moral failure or a massive church split, spiritual trauma is real. In the midst of it (or in the aftermath), how do you stay close to God? How do you trust His heart, and how do you find healing? Counselor Rob Jackson has years of pastoral and clinical counseling experience and has worked with many people on recovery in this sphere. If you’re struggling with pain from church wounds, this discussion may help you move forward.

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering

Link to Counseling Services

Inbox: When You Have a Crush on Someone Else

What do you do if you’re in a serious relationship but you have a crush on someone else? Counselor Kari Aho weighs in.

Maintaining hope for your future marriage, plus ways to share the gospel online, and how do you break a cursing habit?

Featured musical artist: Nathan Tasker

Roundtable: Why Marriage Is Worth It

With all the negative messages about marriage these days, it’s easy to wonder: Can marriage really work? Isn’t it easier to remain single? While singleness is itself a great calling, for those who are meant to marry some extra encouragement may be necessary. Our guests this week provide inspiration to stay the course and believe in marriage as a good thing. As Lisa says, “God’s still in the business of making great matches.” If marriage is in your future, there is hope.

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Culture: Sharing the Gospel Online

Australian evangelist Ryan Hemelaar is taking advantage of life in an increasingly digital age to share the gospel with people around the world — all from the comfort of his home. As the founder of NeedGod.net , he shares exciting stories of what God is doing in online conversations, and why technology is an increasingly effective way to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Honest Evangelism: How to talk about Jesus even when it’s tough

NeedGod.Net

Inbox: How Can I Stop Cursing?

Using profanity is a persistent struggle for many. Our listener admittedly has a cursing problem and wants strategies for how to stop. Counselor Jerry Jones weighs in.

Knowing God’s voice, plus part two of a conversation on self-control, and how to stop imagining worst-case scenarios.

Featured musical artist: Stu Garrard

Roundtable: Distinguishing God’s Voice From Mine

As Christians, we want to hear God’s voice, but how do we know it’s actually Him speaking? We second-guess a decision or direction, or we put out another proverbial fleece, or we wait for a bright light or booming voice — that never comes. Our guests break down their own challenges in hearing from God, including overcoming the paralysis of not knowing who or what to believe.

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Culture: Learning Self-Control (Part 2)

You started the year with good intentions, but they were short-lived. Now more than halfway through 2023, all of your goals, resolutions, and “I’ll do betters” have fallen by the wayside. Fortunately, author Drew Dyck is here to help. He’s consulted both the Bible and brain science to find out why self-control is so hard, but also how we can strategically build the muscle to help us form good habits that will go the distance. In part two of our conversation, Drew talks about The Habit Loop, relying on God’s strength, and how to beat technology addiction.

Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science

Inbox: Help for Overthinkers

Our listener is struggling with overthinking things to the point where he imagines scenarios that don’t happen. Our producer, John Peardon, is no stranger to this — so he’ll encourage us with strategies that have helped him find peace of mind.

Don’t feel left out this summer, plus a conversation on self-control, and breaking up with a friend who isn’t good for you.

Featured musical artist: All Sons & Daughters

Roundtable: Left Out of Summer Fun?

You’re going about your summer and having a good time — until you discover some of your friends planned an event but didn’t invite you. Now that you think about it, a lot of things seem to be happening without you…at least if Instagram has anything to say about it. How do you respond? This week we talk about what makes us feel left out and how we can craft a contented summer regardless of who’s doing what.

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Culture: Learning Self-Control (Part 1)

You started the year with good intentions, but they were short-lived. Now more than halfway through 2023, all of your goals, resolutions, and “I’ll do betters” have fallen by the wayside. Fortunately, author Drew Dyck is here to help. He’s consulted both the Bible and brain science to find out why self-control is so hard, but also how we can strategically build the muscle to help us form good habits that will go the distance. In part one of our conversation, Drew extols the virtues of self-control, explains why willpower isn’t enough by itself, and how a conversation with his wife helped him take some personal inventory.

Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science

Inbox: When a Friend Isn’t Good for You

You’re noticing that a friendship isn’t bringing out the best in you, and you’re wondering: Is it time to cut ties? Counselor Kari Aho weighs in.

How to live successfully with roommates, plus Gary Thomas on the desire for marriage, and is coffee addiction sinful?

Featured musical artist: Various Artists

Roundtable: Tips for Getting Along With Roommates

Having a roommate (or more than one) is a great option for young adults who want to save money, live in community, and grow as an individual. But not every roommate situation is created equal; some roommates are naturally easy to get along with while others can be difficult. This week we share the highs and lows we’ve experienced with roommates, how to vet potential candidates, how to have productive conversations (even around conflict), how to set expectations in a living situation, and even how to be a good roommate yourself.

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Culture: Gary Thomas on Desiring Marriage

Seeing friend after friend get married can feel discouraging if you’re still single with virtually no prospects. Will it ever be your turn? Pastor Gary Thomas, author of “The Sacred Search,” offers advice to those who are in a season of hoping and waiting for marriage. He’ll also suggest ways to grow in maturity and purpose as you seek a spouse.

The Sacred Search: Updated & Revised

Inbox: Is Coffee Addiction a Sin?

We naturally label as “addiction” a dependence on things like drugs and alcohol. But what about caffeine? Is being coffee-dependent a sin? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Wrestling with doubts about your faith, plus Gary Thomas gives book recommendations, and prioritizing time with your family.

Featured musical artist: Abandon

Roundtable: What If I Have Doubts About My Faith?

At some point in your Christian walk, you’ll have questions about God, faith, the Bible and more. While seeking answers is a good thing, what about entertaining doubts? Does God want us to question Him? Is doubting a sign of a lack of faith — or of not being saved? Our guests open up about things they’ve struggled with and what has helped them seek and trust God amid questions, doubts and dark nights of the soul.

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Culture: Book Recommendations From Gary Thomas

Summer is here, and with it comes summer reading. Pastor and author Gary Thomas (hello, “The Sacred Search”) is a popular guest who is also an avid reader. If you’re looking for great books to read this summer (or anytime!), be sure to listen in as Gary gives some of his top recommendations across a wide variety of genres.

The Sacred Search: Updated & Revised; When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People

Inbox: Spending More Time With Family

Time is a precious gift — and so is family — so how do you prioritize your loved ones when your days and weeks are jam-packed with work, activities, and other pastimes? Our host Lisa Anderson weighs in.

What guys need in a friend, plus Alisha Plummer on singles in church, and are most Christian men on dating sites OK with premarital sex?

Featured musical artist: Aaron Strumpel

Roundtable: What Men Need From Friendships

Friendships are essential for emotional and relational health; without them, our lives can easily become self-centered and empty. But what exactly do men and women need from their friends, and what should we be willing to give? This week, a group of guys discuss friendship from a male perspective. They share what makes a friendship meaningful, how to go deeper in friendship, and how to call each other out when necessary.

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Culture: Including Singles at Church

With most churches programmed for couples and families, it’s easy for single adults to feel left out. But Scripture affirms singles as a vital part of the family as well as the body of Christ. Alisha Plummer is a Christian single with constructive ideas for how the church can better integrate its unmarried members. If you’re feeling alone at church, this will be an encouraging discussion.

Confessions of a Christian Spinster: Finding Purpose in a Perplexed and Paired-Up Church

Inbox: Men and Premarital Sex

Our listener says many of the guys she’s met on dating apps say their faith is important — yet they don’t have a problem justifying premarital sex. She’s pretty upset about it. Is this a male problem, or is there something bigger here? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

What girls need in a friend, plus Laurie Polich Short on trusting God’s timing, and tips for those struggling in their first job out of college.

Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship

Roundtable: What Women Need From Friendships

Friendships are essential for emotional and relational health; without them, our lives can easily become self-centered and empty. But what exactly do men and women need from their friends, and what should we be willing to give? This week, a group of ladies discuss friendship from a female perspective. They share what makes a friendship meaningful, how to go deeper in friendship, what to do when a relationship fizzles, and more. (Next week: the men!)

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Hear Laurie’s Story of Waiting for Marriage!

Culture: Trusting God’s Timing

What do you do when God says, “Wait”? Or maybe you’re wondering if He’s saying anything at all. Trusting God’s timing and plan is no easy feat. Laurie Polich Short has relied on God during several seasons of waiting, including years of being single (she got married for the first time at age 49). Laurie will share strategies for waiting well, how to listen to God in what seems like silence, and why letting God call the shots is always worth it.

Faith, Doubt and God’s Mysterious Timing: 30 Biblical Insights About the Way God Works

Hear Laurie’s Story of Waiting for Marriage!

Watch Laurie’s Video Series

Inbox: Launching a Career

She’s struggling with her first job out of college. Is there a way to get a jump-start and make progress when you’re new to the workforce? HR expert Marshonda Dixon weighs in.

Reflecting on 800 episodes, plus more with Dr. Greg Smalley on preparing for a great marriage, and is church membership biblical?

Featured musical artist: David Baloche

Roundtable: Celebrating #800

Thanks to you, our listeners, we’ve reached our 800th episode! To mix things up, show producer John Peardon and audio engineer Alex Seeley take a turn hosting the roundtable — with Lisa Anderson as their guest. They ask her to reflect on hosting 800 episodes, plus everything from which Bible character she’d want to trade places with for a day, to things she wants Christians to stop doing, and skills she’s used from previous jobs in her current role.

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Culture: Preparing for Your Future Marriage (Part 2)

Many singles dream of finding a spouse. But after that comes…marriage. Marriage is fantastic, but not easy. Are there things to learn before marriage that will set you up for better success in marriage? To help frame our perspective on what makes marriage work, Dr. Greg Smalley instructs us how to think about love from a godly perspective. In part two, he’ll address how love needs time to grow, plus why true love embraces and endures.

Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Podcast

Marriage Assessment

Inbox: Should You Join a Church?

Most Christians would agree that being part of a local church is important; but is it necessary to be a member rather than just attend? Is that biblical? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Is Church Membership Important?

Dating without losing yourself, plus Dr. Greg Smalley on preparing for a great marriage, and when does a relationship reach the “serious” stage?

Featured musical artist: Stu Garrard

Roundtable: Don’t Lose Yourself in Dating

It happens all the time: Two people fall in love — then go MIA. You don’t see them except when they’re together (if that). But it’s not healthy to lose yourself in another person at any stage, so how can we encourage a healthier approach to dating? What are appropriate boundaries and rhythms to keep in mind? Our guests have walked the dating journey with ups and downs in this area, and they’ll offer ideas for enjoying and getting to know another person without losing your independence.

Culture: Preparing for Your Future Marriage (Part 1)

Many singles dream of finding a spouse. But after that comes…marriage. Marriage is fantastic, but not easy. Are there things to learn before marriage that will set you up for better success in marriage? To help frame our perspective on what makes marriage work, Dr. Greg Smalley instructs us how to think about love from a godly perspective. In part one of our conversation, he’ll address the principles of commitment, seeking God, and honoring your significant other.

Receive the book Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage: 12 Secrets for a Lifelong Romance for your donation of any amount!

Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Podcast

Inbox: When Does a Relationship Become “Serious”?

He’s not been in a serious dating relationship before, but recently started chatting with a girl who lives 1,300 miles away. He’s planning to visit her soon and sees her as someone he could date. But he’s wondering: When does a relationship reach the “serious” stage, and what does he need to know in light of that? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Boundless Guides to Marrying Well

Finding joy amid depression, plus Jonathan Pokluda on Christians and alcohol, and should high-schoolers date?

Featured musical artist: Hollyn

Roundtable: Finding Joy When It Feels Impossible

Christians are called to live joyful lives; after all, joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. But how do you find joy when your entire world feels dark and hopeless? Our guests know the deep valleys of depression and anxiety; they have fought for joy in the trenches and have seen God show up. They’ll share their personal journeys as well as insight and encouragement for those struggling to trust God’s goodness from under the heaviness of life’s burdens.

Paul’s Book: Beauty in the Browns: Walking With Christ in the Darkness of Depression

Link to Counseling Services

Culture: What Does the Bible Say About Booze?

For Christians, consuming alcohol is a divisive subject. Wherever you are on the “is it OK?” spectrum, there is biblical wisdom around the issue that everyone should consider. Pastor Jonathan Pokluda shares his own relationship, past and present, with drinking, and he and Lisa discuss current cultural cues around alcohol that could benefit from a healthier, God-honoring perspective.

Link to Article: The Latest Buzz Around Christians and Alcohol

Inbox: Dating in High School

Are high-schoolers too young to date? Why or why not? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in.

Detoxing from social media addiction, plus more with JP Pokluda on killing bad habits, and is it wrong to date if you aren’t ready for marriage?

Featured musical artist: Je’kob

Roundtable: How to Detox From Social Media

You intend to “just check” your social media accounts, but a few minutes turn into an hour or more of mindless scrolling. You’ve tried to stop before, but the lure of the screen and its endless notifications are too much. You promise to do something about it…tomorrow. If this sounds like you, it may be time for a detox. To help motivate you, our guests describe what has helped them control the time spent on their phones, specifically with social media. They’ll also talk about the life gains they’ve seen as a result, and share ideas for replacing screen time with real relationships.

Culture: JP Pokluda on Breaking Bad Habits (Part 2)

Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do? Replace Deadly Vices With Life-Giving Virtues

Inbox: Dating Without Marriage in Mind

Is it wrong to date if you aren’t ready to get married? Counselor Kari Aho weighs in.

In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul is candid about his struggle with sin: “Why do I do what I don’t want to do?” Pastor Jonathan Pokluda asks the same question in his latest book (titled exactly that!). We can all relate, but what do we do about it? Is it possible to replace vices with virtues and bad habits with good ones? Is it possible to not let sin have mastery over us? In part two of our conversation, JP will tackle three battles we all face: perception management vs. authenticity, busyness vs. rest, and cynicism vs. optimism.

Evaluating your morning routine, plus JP Pokluda on killing bad habits, and advice for a virgin considering marriage to someone who isn’t.

Featured musical artist: Darlene Zschech

Roundtable: The Importance of Morning Routines

How you start your day is incredibly important to your productivity and overall well-being — but what works for you may not work for someone else. Our guests share what they like best about their morning routines, what they’d like to change, and the gains they’ve seen from structuring their mornings (even a little bit). If you’re looking to craft a better start to your day, you’ll definitely want to tune in.

Culture: JP Pokluda on Breaking Bad Habits (Part 1)

In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul is candid about his struggle with sin: “Why do I do what I don’t want to do?” Pastor Jonathan Pokluda asks the same question in his latest book (titled exactly that!). We can all relate, but what do we do about it? Is it possible to replace vices with virtues and bad habits with good ones? Is it possible to not let sin have mastery over us? In part one of our conversation, JP will share how Christians drift into sin, and tackles two of the book’s main themes: replacing pride with humility, and choosing self-control over lust.

Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do? Replace Deadly Vices with Life-Giving Virtues

Inbox: When a Virgin Marries a Non-Virgin

Our listener is still a virgin but wants to marry someone who isn’t. Are there things to consider? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in with hope and practical advice.

Insight on recent campus revivals, plus the gospel in light of CRT and racial unity, and when your spouse seems spiritually stunted.

Featured musical artist: Jeremy Rosado

Roundtable: Understanding Mass Revivals

Earlier this year, we saw spiritual revivals happen at college campuses around the country. There was both excitement and skepticism around these much-publicized events, leaving many asking about the nature of revival as well as its spiritual impact and implications. Two pastors join us this week to explain the biblical interpretation of revival as well as what true revival looks like, plus lessons learned from various revivals throughout history.

8 Simple Ways to Boost Your Faith This Year

Culture: The Gospel and Racial Unity

For years, Monique Duson was an advocate of critical race theory (CRT); as a black woman from south central Los Angeles, it seemed like the natural fit. But when she was challenged to look at CRT through the lens of the gospel, Monique changed her tune. While she agrees that CRT raises some necessary questions, she feels most of the assumptions and conclusions presented by CRT run far afield from truth. Monique challenges Christians to approach racial unity from a posture of biblical grace, recognizing what is already ours in Christ. Listen in for a fascinating discussion from a leading thinker in this space.

Featured Article: Beyond Racial Division: A Conversation With Sociologist George Yancey

Featured Website: Center for Biblical Unity

Featured Resource: Boundless Guides to Marrying Well

Featured Video: Monique Duson’s Lighthouse Voices Event

Inbox: When You Question Your Spouse’s Christian Walk

What can a believer do when his or her spouse professes Christ, but isn’t evidencing the Fruit of the Spirit in their life? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.

Pastors discuss the meaning of grace, plus decluttering and cleaning tips from a professional organizer, and should we fast to discern God’s will?

Featured musical artist: Daniel Bashta

Roundtable: A Practical Understanding of God’s Grace

Christians love talking about God’s grace — but what does grace really mean for our everyday lives? Is it about salvation? Forgiveness? Just getting through the day? Two pastors discuss some of the misconceptions Christians have about grace, why a biblical understanding of grace is unique, and how grace can empower us to live the Christian life.

Culture: Spring Cleaning and Decluttering

Spring is typically the season when we clean out our clutter, tidy up, and get more organized — or at least we say we will. Professional organizer Jaimi Stewart joins us with practical tips for bringing your good intentions to life. She’ll tackle everything from closets to tech to papers to your wardrobe. Get ready to toss, file and give away!

Featured Article: The Spiritual Practice of Spring Cleaning

Featured Website: The Simple Sort

Inbox: Fasting to Find God’s Will

Our listener has some big decisions coming up and has been told fasting can help as she prays for God’s direction. How can she practically approach this? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.

When your identity is in the wrong things, plus unique advice for Hispanic young adults, and concerns about Christians and romantic entertainment.

Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship

Roundtable: The Identity Traps of Work, Relationships and Hobbies

We all struggle with giving something we value too much influence over us. Whether it’s our career, a relationship or a favorite hobby, anything we love can become a competitor with God for our time and affection. How can we find our identity in who God says we are instead of relying on people, experiences or acclaim to declare our worth? Our guests share their identity traps, how they put them in their proper place, and why they’re learning to find joy in Christ.

Culture: Reaching the Hispanic Community for Christ

Esteban Porras grew up in church, watching his dad preach and seeing many in his community and beyond come to Christ. But as a young adult, he had to travel his own faith journey, and it was influenced by his cultural context growing up in Costa Rica. He recently got married, had a baby and moved to the United States to continue Christian ministry to the Hispanic community here. As an integral part of the Enfoque a la Familia team, Esteban has his finger on the pulse of faith and family among Hispanics worldwide. In this interview, he talks about what trends he’s seeing among Spanish-speaking young adults, dating advice for them as they navigate unique family contexts, and how God is uniquely growing the faith of those in the Hispanic community.

Link to Enfoque a la Familia

Inbox: Romantic Entertainment and the Christian

Who doesn’t love a good love story? In light of that, is it a wise or unwise thing for Christians to watch romantic movies and TV? Is enjoying them a sign that we’re not being careful to guard our hearts? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Learning to pray, plus thoughts on sexual purity before marriage, and what to do when singleness feels like suffering.

Featured musical artist: David Baloche

Roundtable: How to Pray in a Meaningful Way

Some people seem to pray with ease, while others struggle with it. Are there “good” prayers and ways to pray? Our guests discuss some of their challenges with prayer, how they’ve learned to pray, and what it means to be honest with God. If you find prayer a difficult discipline, you’ll be encouraged by this conversation.

Culture: Sexual Purity in Preparation for Marriage

If you grew up in the church, you may have been taught (or at least assumed) that a discussion around purity was about not having sex before marriage. But instead of a list of don’ts, what if it’s something deeper and ultimately freeing? Tovares Grey is back to discuss ideas around biblical sexuality that are helpful in preparing for a godly marriage. As the founder of Godly Dating 101, he’ll share misconceptions he had about sex, sin and temptation; why we should trust God with our sexuality, and how God redeems sexual brokenness in those who want to be healed.

Godly Dating 101: Discover the Truth About Relationships in a World That Constantly Lies

Inbox: Suffering in Singleness?

Our listener is struggling to see singleness as a gift. While the Bible says it’s an honorable calling, what do you do when it feels more like suffering? Lisa Anderson weighs in.