How do we share the power of God without sharing our stories? Beth describes a personal recent encounter with God's presence, and explains why it's important to share these experiences with each other. Let us hear from you about your unique stories!
Feeling invisible after sixty? You're not alone—but you're far from done. Pro-age advocate Ande Lyons joins us for an inspiring conversation about breaking free from age-related expectations and rewriting the story of what it means to grow older. At 69, Ande is the embodiment of vibrant aging. As the host of Don't Be Caged By Your Age , she showcases remarkable individuals thriving well into their 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond—proving that age is not a limitation, but a launching point. Together, we...
Sometimes we denigrate our efforts to jump into faith (or anything else, for that matter) as being "small" and "measly" and hardly worth mentioning. Especially if you have a tendency toward perfectionism, you might grade your initial attempts as subpar. This mindset can set you up for discouragement before you're even out the door. In today's episode, Beth talks about how while we might be critical of our own efforts, God is tickled by our trying: God honors effort. Hopefully, you'll find encour...
Do you tend to stay stuck in the fallout of painful experiences, or find a way to create something meaningful from them? That’s exactly what Aaron Grunke chose to do after facing a brutal cancer diagnosis and enduring multiple rounds of chemotherapy at just 21 years old. When physical training helped him heal not just his body, but also his mind and spirit, Aaron knew others needed access to the same kind of support. What started as a personal path to recovery became a calling — and ultimately, ...
When addiction invades a family, it doesn’t just break the addicted—it wounds everyone who loves them. In this powerful episode, author Kathryn Mae Inman shares the heart-wrenching journey of walking beside her son through six failed rehab attempts, relentless relapses, and the dark grip of addiction. But this is not just a story of suffering—it’s a story of rescue . Through the depths of despair, Kathryn found an unshakable hope, and her son found salvation in the most unexpected way—not throug...
Feeling a little joy-less today? In this snack of an episode (brief but nutritious!), Beth shares an easy way to bring your life an extra boost of joy. Enjoy!
From the time Melody Crosby Hale was a child, a birth defect led her to believe that God would not love a flawed child. In a desperate attempt to feel empowered, she learned to lean on alcohol and painkillers, leading to stronger and stronger drugs. Follow this remarkable story of how God found Melody in the darkness and gently but insistently offered his love. Today, she walks free of addiction and instead leans on the power of God and his everpresent Spirit in her life. Through her testimony a...
Are you one to focus on disappointing situations that come your way, causing you to become immobilized? It's time to reframe disappointment as an inevitable part of being human but learn to give it the limited focus it deserves. Beth gives examples of how lack of progress might indicate a timing issue but encourages us to move forward nonetheless. Informed by the Holy Spirit, God doesn't want us to be afraid to make bold moves and doesn't want us to be discouraged when things don't go as planned...
Diagnosed with fatal Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at six, Elijah Stacy refused to let his condition define him. Instead, at just 15, Elijah founded Destroy Duchenne to fight for a cure. Now, his work extends into biotech, public speaking, and nonprofit leadership. He shares how his experiences have shaped his character and why adversity is often the best teacher. We are privileged to enjoy this special encore visit with our friend, Elijah, which will be featured in Podcasthon, an event highlighti...
Loneliness is more than an emotion—it takes a real toll on our minds, bodies, and spirits. In Lessons from Living , we dive into the power of community, why God calls us to connection, and how meaningful relationships can change lives. Some attempts at community fail, while others become lifelines in our darkest moments. Beth shares personal experiences, biblical wisdom, and a life-changing story that proves the right people in your corner can make all the difference.
The wisest teachers of how to walk on the right path in this world often strayed from the path themselves. Corwin Johnson, "C.J.", would be the first to admit that he has some regrets about the path he chose as a young man, and the opportunities he forfeited as a result. But having earned that wisdom the hard way, he has the credibility to speak out boldly to an upcoming generation about the pitfalls of living a selfish life devoid of God's presence. C.J. knows what it takes to become a man of w...
Beth looks back over the year of inspiring episodes we have shared, explaining why one in particular holds a special place in her heart. She gives an update on the Graham Fam, and forecasts what's in the future for Lessons From Living. There's a special podcasting announcement at the end of the episode. Happy New Year!
From losing jobs, friends, and family to being triggered by an early sexual assault, Brittany Young knows what it's like to suffer. She spent a large chunk of her life living the unsustainable and dysfunctional life of an alcoholic. The good news is that Brittany also knows the victory of living in sobriety for more than a decade. This is a hopeful story for anyone suffering from addiction, or dealing with a loved one who is. We cover it all: how she was drawn to alcohol at a young age, how she ...
What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Our Thanksgiving guests and all of the Grahams share their thoughts on Thanksgiving, and what they're thankful for. Some were quite surprising! Enjoy this sneak peek into the Graham family that will leave you feeling warm and inspired.
There has been much said about the best way to motivate and inspire our younger generations, but today we hear directly from a GenZ representative who has been carefully observing the examples of leadership she has personally witnessed. With these observations and impressions, Laura Ray Read offers listeners a fresh perspective on what it means to be a leader, and how to do it with excellence. We talk about whether everyone has the capacity to be a leader, and the importance of mentors in your l...
Have you ever suffered a psychological wound from someone in authority in your life? Sometimes we allow these events to affect us far into the future, impacting our potential success. Dr. April Minatrea says it doesn't have to be so: we can make a different decision to heal, and learn lessons from these life crises--including how to treat others with compassion. Dr. Minatrea is an articulate, inspirational advocate for becoming healthy ourselves so that we can encourage good health in others thr...
Beth shares an unusual way to center oneself and focus on what is most important in life. Do you have a difficult time discerning what is important? This method which happens to be a "natural" part of Beth's life allows one to zero in with clarity on your most important priorities. No beating around the bush here! Let us hear from you about how you tend to refocus your priorities, and learn from each other.
Faced with an exorbitant, self-accumulated debt, Isabel Varela made the brave decision to address her problem head-on. Her story is one of addiction fueled by painful negative self-image. The resulting life change required spiritual and secular work, along with an incredible persistence and determination. If you feel buried beneath your life challenges, even if they result from your own stupidity or lapse of judgement, this episode is sure to inspire you not only to hang on, but find appropriate...
Angee Robertson knows a thing or two about communicating with God. Having navigated some difficult trials during her life, including infertility and her husband's illness, she has become acutely aware of God's desire to interact with and support her. To that end, she has honed in on some creative ways to communicate with her Father. We discuss the power of words, and how we tend to focus on the negative, doubting God, communicating with God through journaling, having authority in Christ, tapping...
What does the most fulfilling retirement look like? Our guest Chris Marquardt offers an excellent picture of that: he has made an intentional geographical move with his wife of 36 years to a corner of the world that gives him peace and happiness. He has learned a new skill, bee-keeping, that has helped him through his own PTSD, having served in the military for 24 years. And he has found a way to share this passion and healing with other veterans. This is an expansive conversation covering how t...
What's it like to walk with someone who is dying? And what lessons can we learn from this experience of witnessing someone passing from this world into the next? Enjoy an interview with an extraordinary doctor, Reggie Anderson, as he shares these truths with us. We talk about how a horrific event in his young life separated him from God, despite having grown up in a faith-filled home. He shares how meeting his future wife and studying medicine played key roles in returning him to a relationship ...
When Jessica Spencer, her husband, and birth son decided to dip their toes into the waters of fostering children, they had no way to know that within days their little family would morph from 3 to 7! This is Jessica's story of the often meandering process fostering can take to grow a family. She touches on the training and evaluation required, getting that fateful call, and how parental rights can impact the possibility of adoption within a fostering relationship. If you have any interest in gro...
If you have ever wondered whether your spouse has been unfaithful, or even had that fear confirmed, this episode about surviving infidelity is for you. Our guest, Kate Conwell, shares her journey from discovering her husband's infidelity to moving beyond this trauma to an even stronger marriage. Today, Kate and her husband model this kind of healthy, growth-focused behavior resulting in a renewed relationship and share it with other men and women walking this same path. There is hope for marriag...
Self-described "nobody," Barbara Demorest, describes how a personal encounter with cancer inspired her to find a solution for a common problem facing breast cancer victims. She said "Yes," when many others may have taken a pass. We talk about walking through open doors, not stressing when a door closes, the hazards of putting limits upon ourselves, how impostor syndrome impacts our ability to step forward, beginning with little steps, how to equip and inspire others, dealing with criticism, the ...
David Zach is the lead singer and songwriter of Remedy Drive, a rock band. He also is an undercover operative for an anti-sex trafficking organization, the Exodus Road. David talks about how this association came to be, how his past prepared him for this work, and the impact working undercover has on his family. David shares his creative process. We talk about the way sex trafficking is portrayed in the media and entertainment, what this scourge looks like in America, and the connection between ...
What does one do when faced with the worst kind of choices? Alvaro Rivas literally found himself with a gun to his head, when the Nicaraguan government claimed he was a spy because of his work with American ministries. He knew that he risked imprisonment or death if he remained in his native country; the only option was to flee to freedom. The problem? His wife and children could not join him in the arduous journey. They would have to come later, when Alvaro could secure them safer passage. In t...
Beth considers this time of refresh and renewal, and the ways we might evaluate where we stand at the cusp of this new year. She also discusses plans for the podcast in the new year, and how YOU can be a part! Notes: Ten Questions to Diagnose Spiritual Health , Donald Whitney
Following a devastating breast cancer diagnosis, Lindsay McDonnell did all of the right things, including challenging accepted traditional medical protocols and procedures. Yet, it returned not once, but three times. Today, Lindsay lives with a body full of cancer, but is stable, and has developed a new mission: coaching others who are now enduring what she has overcome before. She is brave beyond words, and a model of compassion, dogged determination, and good humor. Show notes: "Dancing With C...
Erwin Raphael McManus offers a thought-provoking, motivating treatise in The Last Arrow, published in 2017. In this episode, Beth discusses some of McManus' themes, such as what is represented by arrows, why we tend to hold back from pursuing our most important goals, how God uses ordinary people to accomplish his purposes, the importance of community, how to take action, how to guard against the temptation to quit, and why it's not just acceptable, but crucial to go BIG, where life and God are ...
Dennis Mellen knew from the age of ten that he wanted to be a pilot, and set the entire trajectory of his life toward that goal. At fifty-six, he had enjoyed his dream career for more than 30 years when tragedy struck, and his well-planned life was upended. How does one move forward when the unexpected, unwanted wrench is thrown into the course of our lives? Dennis models well how to navigate this challenge: with courage, creativity, persistence, and determination. Learn from Dennis how to trans...
