Episodes
May 28, 2025
Preparing for Prodigal Prayer Day, episode 172
On June 2, about 25 years ago, our prodigal, Josh, met Jesus. He was living at House of Hope, a nearby residential home for troubled teens. His house dad, Mike, loved him, prayed for him, sought to guide him into better life ...
May 13, 2025
Pam Henkelman, Empty Nest Coach, episode 171
Pamela Henkelman is a certified Empty Nest Coach, speaker, writer, and host of the Midlife Momma Podcast. With her bright smile and enthusiastic personality, she is passionate about encouraging women, particularly the often-f...
April 29, 2025
Resisting the Enemy, episode 170
This might be the most helpful episode we’ve done on this podcast. Loving a prodigal can be like a roller coaster—the ups and downs, the unexpected turns. The dashed hopes. In our last episode we looked at our persistent enem...
April 15, 2025
Can You See the Lion Stalking?, episode 169
When you love a prodigal, you get used to the lion stalking. Sometimes it seems that, no matter what you do to rescue your prodigal, to win her heart, to capture his mind, nothing works. Even when your prodigal is seeking to ...
April 1, 2025
In Just the Right Time episode 168
One of the hardest parts of living with and loving a prodigal is the waiting, isn’t it. I have said many times: I thought it was time! Isn’t it time, Lord? Are we doing this again? How long, Lord? We hate the uncertainty, f...
March 18, 2025
Finding Joy on Your Prodigal Journey with Jill Baughan (episode 167)
Jill Baughan radiates joy! In my several conversations with her, joy flows from her. I can't help but smile when I'm with her. But more than that, she is able to share, even slosh, that joy with you and me. Joy even for hard ...
March 4, 2025
Seeking Transformation, episode 166
In my conversations with those who love a prodigal, or with someone going through hard times, with anyone in an uncertain time, I usually end up at the same place, with four words that can make a real difference, even bring t...
Feb. 18, 2025
Pursuing Healthy Families-Interview with Casey Gann, episode 165
Casey has much to offer as she shares her journey to become a counselor and her passion to encourage healthy families. She talks about the pain experienced by parents and by the children. And the conversations that can lead t...
Feb. 4, 2025
Giving Up My Idols, episode 164
The prophet Isaiah repeatedly mocks them for carving idols to worship out of half a log, and cooking dinner with the other half. How could anyone think that “god” could save them? We read in 1 Samuel that rebellion is like t...
Jan. 21, 2025
Setting Your Loved One Free, episode 163
Today we are talking about liberation. As we consider the strongholds in the lives of our loved ones—and perhaps ourselves—be sure to note the verses that will give you hope. Judy’s Resources: Read Breaking Life Bondages: htt...
Dec. 31, 2024
Hope for the New Year, episode 127 (rebroadcast)
A new year lifts us up, shaking off the remnants of last year’s mistakes, opening a panorama of a better future. We love to leave the hurts and failures of yesterday, believing that tomorrow is filled with sunshine and promi...
Dec. 17, 2024
All I Want for Christmas, episode 44 (rebroadcast)
Lord, please, for Christmas could my child come home? Would you set him free from his addictions? May they see the emptiness and destructiveness of their choices. And, Lord, may we have peace in our family for Christmas. Whe...
Dec. 10, 2024
A Story of Real Life Giving Thanks, episode 162
If you have listened to many of my podcasts, then you know I encourage all of us to give thanks in everything. I got to practice what I preach in real life last week. And though this story is not about a prodigal, it’s certai...
Dec. 3, 2024
Waiting in Advent for Jesus and Your Prodigal with Judy Lewis, episode 161
Judy Nelson Lewis and I go way back. She's been a magazine editor, writer, and now a spiritual director. We had a great conversation about advent, waiting, and how that can help us through our prodigal journey. It's a gift t...
Nov. 26, 2024
Praying with Thanksgiving, episode 160
In Philippian 4:6 the instructions are more specific: Pray about everything, with thanksgiving. Pray, of course. Give thanks? Much harder. But that is exactly what we are told to do, even in scary, out-of-control circumstance...
Nov. 19, 2024
Is It Possible to Give Thanks in Everything?, episode 159
Our natural response in times of uncertainty and in life with a prodigal and the fears and frustrations we encounter, is to name everything that is wrong, to complain about all we don’t like. And our God receives our honest l...
Nov. 12, 2024
Dennis and Barbara Rainey: Relating to Your Adult Children, episode 158
I was reading Barbara Rainey’s blog recently and saw a post Relating to Your Adult Children. For most of the years God has had me in a loving a prodigal ministry, we have focused mostly on teens and young adults. But in recen...
Nov. 5, 2024
Your Prodigal Is a Gift, episode 157
As I have listened to the stories of friends’ prodigals and prayed for my son and many others, God took me on a journey back into the wilderness. Gratefully I was reminded over and over of the transforming truths that I have ...
Oct. 29, 2024
A Message from Steve, episode 156
Today, October 29, 2024, marks two years since my wonderful husband, Steve, was called home to Heaven. He was a wise, loving man, and had much to offer everyone he encountered. Today’s podcast is a gift from Steve, telling of...
Oct. 22, 2024
The Power of Grace, episode 155
In all my years of loving a prodigal and seeking to help others love their prodigal, one word has been the key, the difference, the change agent: GRACE Early in my journey with my prodigal, God gave me a guiding word. He said...
Oct. 15, 2024
Remember to Breathe, episode 154
About 10 years ago we went through a scary time with our adopted son. Josh had twice, in response to great disappointments, threatened to take his life. We reasoned with him, assured him of our love, stayed with him. Grateful...
Oct. 8, 2024
From Guilt to Grace with Dawn Ward, episode 153
Does that title entice you? In your journey with a prodigal, would you like to be moving from guilt to grace? Our guest today is Dawn Ward, a life and mental health coach, writer, speaker, and one of us. Her ministry is Faith...
Oct. 1, 2024
Questions that Make a Difference, episode 152
It’s noisy out there, isn’t it? Online, at school, in the neighborhood. And certainly in your home when you have a prodigal. So many strong but differing opinions! We often seem to be more committed to making our point and ho...
Sept. 24, 2024
Nancy Squires: Just Be Held Retreats, episode 151
Today, I am chatting with Nancy Squires, and she's a new friend. And she has a ministry called the Just Be Held Retreats, and we're going to get to learn what those are, how they came about, and how you might engage. Nancy’s ...