Connecting with old friends, plus “Duck Dynasty’s” Mia Robertson, and wanting invites from families at church without being awkward.

Featured musical artist: Ellie Holcomb

Roundtable: Friends From the Past

Childhood friends, high school friends, college friends — even friends from places you’ve lived in other parts of the country or world. You have shared memories, but is there value in actually reconnecting with pals from the past? Our guests talk about their successful and unsuccessful attempts to reach out to old friends, plus what they gained from doing so, and what they learned.

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Culture: Mia Robertson From “Duck Dynasty”

Daughter of “Duck Dynasty” stars Jase and Missy, Mia Robertson grew up in the Hollywood spotlight. Born with a cleft palate and the subject of public scrutiny, her personal journey hasn’t been easy. Now in her 20s and with multiple surgeries behind her, Mia is focusing on her college studies, fronting a busy charity, and living out her faith in the ups and downs. You’ll make a new friend in Mia as you hear her inspiring story.

Hold Hope: Encouragement for Christians with Chronic Pain

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Inbox: Can I Hang With Your Family?

You want to be invited into the lives of families at your church, but is there a way to indicate interest without being awkward or invasive? Counselor Kari A weighs in.

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Standing for your convictions without losing a relationship, plus hope for alcohol addiction, and should non-drinkers only date other non-drinkers?

Featured musical artist: About a Mile

Roundtable: When Friendship Tests Your Faith

As Christians, we’re called to be lights in a dark world. But when you have to stand up for truth among friends and colleagues who challenge your beliefs, how do you stay strong? What’s the motivation and means of making and growing friendships with those who are apathetic or hostile to biblical truth about life, sexuality — even the gospel itself? Guests Glenn and Kat have found a way to keep their faith front and center in friendships with non-Christians. You’re guaranteed to find their stories inspiring and challenging as you ponder how to love God and love others without selling out.

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Culture: Straight Talk About Booze

Dr. Trent Langhofer has long been a licensed therapist and addiction recovery counselor — after years of being an addict himself. He knows the temptation that drugs and alcohol present in a culture where isolation, busyness, comparison and anxiety have a hold. So what’s the straight story on booze? What’s OK and what’s too much? Do your reasons for drinking matter? What about social drinking? How do you know you have a problem, and what’s the first step to doing something about it? Trent joins us to dole out facts, and more importantly, offer hope and healing steps for those ready to take a new look at their relationship with alcohol.

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

Article: The Latest Buzz Around Christians and Alcohol

Link to Counseling Services

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Inbox: Can You Ask Your Date Not to Drink?

As a teetotaler, she’s wondering if she should only date guys who don’t drink. Or if they do, can she ask them to stop? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.

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Enjoying sports without letting them own you, plus career experts on common problems at work, and developing a Scripture-reading habit.

Featured Resource (GOAA): Grace at Work: Redeeming the Grind and the Glory of Your Job

Guests: Jesse Florea, Jonathan Jenkins, Rachel Pfeiffer, Marshonda Dixon, Bryan Gilman, Jenn Scheck, Lisa Anderson

Featured musical artist: Jonathan Cain

Roundtable: Sports Fandom Gone Too Far

Fall is synonymous with football, so consider this your friendly reminder that in addition to your commitment to your favorite team, you also have a job, friends, family and a life. Seriously, whatever your sport of choice, it’s easy to get caught up in your team’s schedule, stats, players and performance. Sports are fun, but is there a way to be a fan without compromising your emotional, relational, financial and even spiritual health? This week we’re hearing from almost-addicts who’ve learned to temper their love for the game with a sense of priority and balance. They’ll talk their favorite teams (and athletes and events), but also strategies for staying grounded in a sports-filled life.

Guests: Jesse Florea, Jonathan Jenkins, Rachel Pfeiffer

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Culture: Dealing With Problems at Work

Workplace relationships can be tough. Even if you work from home and your only coworker is your cat, you still have bosses, vendors, clients and competitors. Most of us would love to be part of a healthy work culture, but what does that entail? How do you handle issues with a fellow employee or client? Should you confront them directly? Get your boss involved? Take it to HR? What’s a strategy for addressing office gossip or sabotage? How can you assert yourself at work without being labeled a jerk? Our panelists are experts in workplace performance and relational dynamics. They’ll share their best tips for winning at work — interpersonally and beyond.

Guests: Marshonda Dixon, Bryan Gilman, Jenn Scheck

GOAA Offer: Grace at Work: Redeeming the Grind and the Glory of Your Job

Inbox: Discipline for Reading Scripture

How do you cultivate a consistent habit of Bible reading? Do certain tactics work for some and not for others? How do you find a good rhythm and stick to it? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Guest: Lisa Anderson

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The value of thoughtfulness, plus Dr. Gary Chapman on boundaries between young adults and their parents, and Lisa shares tips for going out alone.

Featured musical artist: Love and the Outcome

Roundtable: You’re So Thoughtful!

An encouraging text message, a quick hug, or help with a difficult task. Some people are just thoughtful. We brought some of the most sincerely kind people we know into the studio for a conversation on how to show thoughtfulness to others. From handwritten notes to a listening ear to a helping hand, there are many ways to show others you care. If you’re someone on the giving or receiving end of thoughtfulness, you know what a difference it makes. Listen in for practical ways to strengthen your thoughtfulness muscle.

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Culture: Boundaries With Mom and Dad

One of the most challenging transitions of young adulthood is leaving home and redefining the relationship with your parents. In some cases the transition is a smooth one — others, not so much. What do your parents need from you as you stake your independence, and what does it look like to honor them while also forging healthy boundaries? Relationship expert Dr. Gary Chapman shares from personal and professional experience how to have honest conversations with your parents to ensure the best relational outcomes.

Your New Life with Adult Children: A Practical Guide to What Helps, What Hurts, and What Heals

Learn About Dr. Chapman & The Love Languages

Inbox: Hanging Out Alone

You want to do things solo, but is that weird? And is there a better-than-average way to go about getting your alone time? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

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Trusting God’s love when you don’t feel it, plus how skeptics strengthened Justin Brierley’s faith, and balancing reverence and honesty in prayer.

Featured musical artist: Austin Stone Worship

Roundtable: Does God Really Care About Me?

It’s easy to say “Jesus loves me” in church or when things are going well, but how do you have the faith to say it when God feels incredibly distant? What if circumstances in your life challenge your perception of His goodness, and now you’re wondering if He’s even there? Our guests open up about difficult seasons they’ve been through, the lies they’re tempted to believe about God and themselves, and what it looks like to fight for faith. If you’re wondering if God cares — not in general, but about you in particular — you’ll be encouraged by their stories.

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Culture: Why I’m Still a Christian

When was the last time you shared your faith with a non-Christian? Justin Brierley has been conversing with atheists and agnostics (including Richard Dawkins) for years, and he’s passionate about equipping believers to examine secular arguments, test them with Scripture science, and common sense, and then be lights in our culture’s darkness. If you’re intimidated by unbelievers’ unbelief and what they have to say about it, Justin will help you find both courage and kindness for the conversation.

Why I’m Still a Christian: After Two Decades of Conversations with Skeptics and Atheists–The Reason I Believe

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Hear Justin on the ReFocus Podcast

Inbox: Yelling at God

When life is hard and you’re sad, angry, disappointed or scared, how do you pray honestly to God while still showing reverence and respect? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.

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How dating impacts other relationships, plus navigating changes in your doctrinal beliefs, and a commitment-phobe’s guide to serving at church.

Featured musical artist: Abandon

Roundtable: Maintaining Friendships While Dating

It happens all too often: You have great friendships and a robust social life. You’re involved in church and maybe even have a mentor. But soon after you start dating, things change. You spend more and more time with your bf or gf, and other relationships start to fade. You don’t think you have time for them. You’re so caught up in this new person that other people take a back seat. Some changes are expected, but what does it look like to date and navigate engagement in a way that still preserves the other important relationships in your life? Our panel weighs in.

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Culture: Why Doctrine Matters

A listener recently contacted us, saying some of their Christians beliefs on secondary issues have changed since childhood. Now they’re wondering how to have conversations about these topics (baptism, worship styles, election, etc.) with their friends and family members. Pastor Mark Bates shares how to approach doctrinal topics with grace while keeping your focus on unity in the body of Christ.

True Community: The Biblical Practice of Koinonia

Inbox: I Want to Serve but Am Afraid to Commit

Our listener wants to start serving at church but is afraid to commit to a church home. What’s the core issue here? Pastor Vince Hoppe offers advice.

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A beginner’s guide to camping, plus David Mathis on honoring God with our fitness, and should you date coworkers?

Featured musical artist: Hollyn

Roundtable: Camping for Average People

Camping is a fun outdoor activity to do with friends and family, but if you don’t know what you’re doing it can be pretty intimidating. What should you pack? How do you cook food? Should you go with expert campers or strike out on your own? Our guests have experience pitching tents, sitting by campfires, and seeing the stars at night — but they all consider themselves “average” campers in ability and know-how. They’ll provide attainable tips for your next camping trip, especially if you’re a beginner.

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Culture: A Theology of Exercise

Does God care if you’re hitting the gym? Or getting any exercise at all? According to David Mathis, part of us being equipped for service to God is having bodies that are able to do so. He shares scriptural reasoning for prioritizing movement as not only “taking care of your temple” but as an act of worship. He also tells the story of being convicted on this topic, how he started adding fitness to his life, and how staying active helps your body, brain and spirit.

A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul

Inbox: Should You Date a Coworker?

Is it a good idea to date a work colleague? HR expert Marshonda Dixon weighs in.

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Tips for getting a first date, plus lessons from a man’s spiritual deconstruction, and when your girlfriend hangs out a lot with her gay friends.

Featured musical artist: Kerrie Roberts

Roundtable: Want to Get Coffee?

Asking a girl out isn’t easy; it requires courage. But for many men, their approach is awkward, ill-planned, and lacking confidence — if they summon the nerve to ask at all. Is there a way to ask a woman on a date without making it weird? Our panel of men offers helpful tips from the trenches.

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Culture: Lessons in Deconstruction

Nicholas McDonald grew up with a faith that was often formulaic: Do this and get that result from God. But after experiencing the death of his brother and going on a missions trip to another country, Nicholas grappled with the definition of true faith and what Christian beliefs are actually biblical, not just based on tradition or cultural norms. He shares his story with us and models what it looks like to follow Jesus even when you have difficult questions.

Inbox: My Girlfriend Spends Too Much Time With Her Gay Friends

Our listener is concerned about his girlfriend hanging out with her longtime guy friends who identify as gay. Is it time for a hard conversation? Jeff Johnston weighs in.

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