Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

Sarah Young

  • 34 minutes 4 seconds
    Dropping Our Masks to Confront Anxiety, Despair, and Real Needs: Ed Newton, Wendell Vinson, and Todd Lamphere

    *This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.

    This week, we’ll hear from Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Ed bridged the hearing and deaf worlds for his parents, fostering immense empathy but also hardship. Later, following his parents’ deaths, he faced a tidal wave of despair and suicidal thoughts. He sought professional help and openly shared his struggle with his church, who responded with grace. Now, Ed advocates for the church to be a hospital for the broken, urging people to seek help and recognize it’s okay not to be okay, but not to stay that way.

    Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Wendell Vinson and Todd Lamphere from CityServe, an organization that helps equip and empower churches to serve their communities. They discuss CityServe’s mission to equip local churches and to meet the last mile of need in their communities. They highlight the church’s role in community transformation, citing reduced recidivism rates, and its essential “ministry of presence” before, during, and after crises like natural disasters or war. Finally, they acknowledge compassion fatigue, emphasizing that faithful service requires spiritual replenishment in order to continue to serve others well. 

     

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Erica Campbell

    Upcoming interview: Kathie Lee Gifford

    Jesus Calling app

     

    Ed Newton

    CODA (Child of Deaf Adults)

    Romans 8:28

    www.ednewton.com

    Why Not You? Believing What God Believes About You

     

    CityServe

    Canyon Hills Church

    Matthew 16:13-27

    prison recidivism

    This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

    TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

     

    Interview Quotes:

    “My mission was to actually be the voice for two people that could not speak and to help them understand how to aggregate and acclimate into a hearing world.” - Ed Newton

    “It’s okay not to be okay. It’s just not okay to stay that way. God can break every chain.” - Ed Newton 

    “I believe some of the healthiest people I have ever met sit on somebody’s couch. I actually think the red flag of danger is for somebody that says, ‘I’m good. I don’t need counseling.’ I would say watch out for that slippery slope of destruction that’s about to happen.” - Ed Newton

    “I just think for most people, life gets shaken up and they don’t know what to do with that. Don’t live life all bound up when you can find somebody that would love you, sit with you, and go, ‘Hey, let me tell you what I hear and see. You’re not alone.’” - Ed Newton

    “Sometimes churches get it wrong and we slap Bible verses on a chemical disruption in the body. And I want to say, ‘I’m sorry you got hit with a Bible verse when you just needed someone to sit in the puddle of your tears.’” - Ed Newton

    “We’re constantly hearing and listening and feeling, but when we do not align our heart to what God says, who is the ultimate voice, then it just conflicts with the directional, navigational component of our life.” - Ed Newton

    “There’s a God who never changes, who operates out of the character of sovereignty and goodness, and who’s always working for your greater good. So why not begin a day with Him, and let Him frame the filter of how you’re to see the world?” - Ed Newton

    “It’s a beautiful partnership that allows pastors and churches that have a desire to meet the practical, physical needs of the community it was called to serve, and to have an organization come alongside it to help make that happen. This is the beauty of the partnership between the local church and CityServe.” - Todd Lamphere 

    “When a person connects with the body of Christ and starts moving down a different path, it transforms community.” - Wendell Vinson 

    “What people need in times of disaster more than anything, is they need the ministry of presence.” - Todd Lamphere 

    “Compassion is scalable. You start where you are with what you have, and God will take you further.” - Wendell Vinson

    “Compassion fatigue is just a reality. You cannot give out what you do not have in you. This is why being saturated in God’s Word every day is so vitally important. It’s a non-negotiable to stay in God’s Word to commune with Him, to listen to worship music, to pray for God to just continue to be your strength, to be your source, to be your all in all.” - Todd Lamphere

    “If any of us think that we can in our own strength or power just live out what the Lord’s called us to, we’re mistaken. It all flows out of that personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Wendell Vinson

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

    Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

    Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

    Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

    What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

    Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    5 March 2026, 6:00 am
  • 30 minutes 22 seconds
    Choosing Victory Over Victimhood: John O’Leary & Athanase Kadita Tshibaka

    This week, we’re joined by author and speaker John O’Leary. John shares the story of a joyful Midwestern childhood that was forever changed at age nine by a devastating house fire that doctors said he would not survive. Through the unwavering love of his parents, the kindness of unexpected heroes, and a hard-fought choice to live, John’s life became a testimony to hope rising from unimaginable pain. 

    Later in the episode, we’ll hear from finance executive and advisor Athanase Kadita Tshibaka, known as A.T., who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A.T. shares a journey shaped by poverty, displacement, and profound loss, and the faith that sustained him through imprisonment, injustice, and life-threatening trials.

     

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Alice Marie Johnson

    Upcoming interview: Ed Newton

     

    John O’Leary

    Soul on Fire

    Jack Buck

    www.johnolearyinspires.com

     

    Athanase Kadita Tshibaka

    Son of the Congo

     

    This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

    TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

     

    Interview Quotes:

    “The heroes show up, and none of them wear tights. None of them wear capes. They just look like ordinary friends who faithfully live out the message of Jesus in life.” - John O’Leary

    “I think when we get burned in life, whatever that looks like for all of us, we can become bitter about it and wonder where God is in our mess. Or you can recognize that God is all over this mess with you and that you can reveal that goodness and that grace and that mercy to others through your life.” - John O’Leary 

    “I think when you go through a [difficult] event, at any age, it’s easy to really quickly decide whether I will be a victim or a victor to this. Even if you feel like you have no talent, your life is a precious, priceless gift. You have one job, to say yes to being used for good.” - John O’Leary

    “Your life, in spite of what you’ve been through or done, can be used in mighty ways.” - John O’Leary 

    “Even though we were essentially living in poverty… [my mother] had to struggle, she had to really work hard. But even with her very meager means, my mom showed me the value of hospitality and the value of generosity. There was never an instant where some strangers came and she let them just go hungry. Above it all, God’s grace.” - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka 

    “When I decided to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, I had nobody pushing me, I had nobody influencing me except that very still voice, very gentle, saying that was my day of decision.” - Athanse Kadita Tshibaka

    “Like most people, I am a cracked pot, a leaking vessel, and I need to be refilled by His Holy Spirit daily. Reading the Bible and being attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit helps keep us growing.” - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

    Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

    Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

    Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

    What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

    Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    26 February 2026, 6:00 am
  • 9 minutes 22 seconds
    [JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] How Do We Heal Past Wounds in Marriage? Part 1 with Dr. Dan Allender & Dr. Steve Call

    What if the struggles in your marriage aren’t just about today, but about untold stories from long ago? In this episode of “Jesus Listens,” Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Steve Call explore how past wounds, unspoken patterns, and even everyday tones of contempt shape our relationships more than we realize. The themes discussed are found in their new book “The Deep-Rooted Marriage.” 

    Guest’s Links
    YouTube: @AllenderCenter
    Facebook: @allendercenter

    Instagram: @reconnectmarriage | @allendercenter

     

    Watch this interview on our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/4pqVSZ4 

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    Jesus Calling Website

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    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    24 February 2026, 6:00 am
  • 29 minutes
    When You Hit a Wall, Lean on God: Sarah Drew & Janine Turner

    This week, we’re thrilled to be celebrating our 500th podcast episode with actor Sarah Drew, known for her roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Everwood. Sarah shares how her faith shaped her career from a pastor’s kid who found joy in acting to eventually navigating the pressures of Hollywood. She discusses the rewarding challenge of developing her Grey’s Anatomy character, April Kepner, into an honest portrayal of a person of faith, including the storyline of April’s crisis of faith and her eventual return. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from actor Janine Turner. Janine recounts her own tumultuous path to Hollywood, characterized by countless rejections and setbacks. She shares the story of her darkest period, when she had only eight dollars and felt entirely alone, right before landing her breakthrough, unexpected role as a bush pilot in Northern Exposure. Janine’s experience with closed doors taught her to wait on unexpected, better opportunities—proving that perseverance, even through black holes of despair, can take us to where we’re meant to be.

     

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Erin Hicks Moon

    Upcoming interview: John O’Leary

    Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season

    Sarah Drew

    Eric Liddell

    Grey’s Anatomy

     

    Janine Turner

    Northern Exposure

    Rocky

    www.JanineTurner.com

    Northern Disclosure

     

    This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

    TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

     

    Interview Quotes:

    “The gift of having so many seasons to develop [a character] is you actually have time to sort of unpack and allow someone to take different turns and twists and upside downs. You get to experience a far more human life when you see someone on a series for a long period of time.” - Sarah Drew  

    “If I don’t have the thing that rooted me and anchored me to the whole purpose of my life, if that somehow comes undone and is shaking under my feet, then what am I doing here? How do you keep breathing when you are so shaken to your core?” - Sarah Drew  

    “So many people are suffering, so when they welcome a character [into their life], day after day, week after week, year after year, and really become kind of friends with this person who’s walked this path, they’re feeling through it with them.” - Sarah Drew 

    “In every job I walk on to, I want the folks that I’m working with, the cast, crew, and everyone to really feel a sense of belonging and that they deserve to be there and that they are part of this community and we’re so happy that they’re here and we’re all in this together. I think that’s one of the biggest ways that I live out my faith.” - Sarah Drew 

    “If God closes the door, He opens the window. There will be a window. There will be the right thing at the right time.” - Janine Turner

    “I didn’t give up before the miracle because eighty percent of success is just showing up.” - Janine Turner 

    “[Northern Exposure] became the most miraculous opportunity for me that I think also used my talents in such a way that were dignified, respected, and it had an impact that made people’s lives happier. Don’t let anybody put out your flame that God has given you or me, and don’t give up before that miracle.” - Janine Turner 

    “I’ve hit this kind of, literally, sort of a wall of blackness where I’m desperate or I’m in a panic attack or I’m crying hysterically. I don’t see the light, I don’t see the hope, but there’s always been something that has kept me from going over that cliff. I believe it is my faith and it’s God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If I just stick with it, tomorrow will be a better day.” - Janine Turner

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

    Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

    Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

    Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

    What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

    Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    19 February 2026, 6:00 am
  • 26 minutes 37 seconds
    Unimaginable Loss, Unbreakable Faith: Stephen McWhirter & Courtney Pray Duke

    *This episode contains content that may be triggering for some listeners.*

    This week, we hear from Stephen McWhirter, a songwriter and worship leader whose early life was marked by deep trauma, addiction, and a shattered view of God shaped by his father’s hypocrisy and abuse. After years of rebellion and anger toward faith, Steven encountered Jesus in an unexpected moment that transformed everything. Today, he shares a powerful story of grace, redemption, and the hard-won freedom found on the other side of forgiveness.

    Later in the episode, we’ll hear from author and speaker Courtney Pray Duke, who opens up about the tragic loss of her husband. Courtney shares what it was like to navigate grief while raising three children alone, and how it encouraged her to draw closer to God as a source of comfort when everything felt like it was falling apart. 

     

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Chynna Phillips

    Upcoming interview: Sarah Drew

     

    Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season

    Stephen McWhirter

    Lee Strobel

    Ephesians 2:8

    John 6:29

    www.worshipjesus.life

    Radically Restored

     

    Courtney Pray Duke

    www.courtneyprayduke.com

    And She Got Up: Shattered by Loss, Restored by Jesus

     

    This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

    TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

     

    Interview Quotes:

    “I was the guy that literally would have either cussed you out or tried to knock you out had you mentioned Jesus’ name around me. I literally had this deep anger and this wound in me that really was connected to my earthly father and a broken view of who God is.” - Stephen McWhirter

    “I’m in this room and I have drugs on the side table next to me. I always say it’s the kindness of a very real God to meet a wounded evangelist son in a place like this. I knew God was in the room, and I’m like, ‘I want to give you my life. I want to quit all this addiction, all this darkness, all this anger, all this depression, and this trauma that I’ve known for so long.’” - Stephen McWhirter

    “Jesus never healed anyone [from addiction] the same way twice, because every story has a purpose. If it takes you five times or eleven times to fall at the feet of Jesus and you mean it, He’s going to use your story to draw people to Him.” - Stephen McWhirter

    “There is something truly powerful on the other side of forgiveness. It’s not about reciprocation. Somebody may not say to you, ‘I’m asking for your forgiveness,’ but you have the ability to tear up the debt and throw it away. That’s real freedom, that’s real restoration.” - Stephen McWhirter 

    “Those early days of grief were so messy and they were so uncharted. And to be honest, I didn’t even know what grief really meant until I was in the place where I was grieving with everything inside of me.” - Courtney Pray Duke

    “The Lord was so faithful to meet me in every moment, and I could lay my head on my pillow at night and look over the day and I could see where He was when I would open up the Word of God. It was like His promises and His love were illuminating off the page and they were bringing sustenance to my life.” - Courtney Pray Duke 

    “It wasn’t until I lost everything that my faith grew legs. It was walking through fiery times and profound loss where Jesus met me with strength and love and power and life.” - Courtney Pray Duke

    “Holding the grief of my kids’ hearts and mine was impossible for me to bear. I learned so much during that time about releasing my children.” - Courtney Pray Duke

    “It’s just so beautiful when you see a nugget of truth that comes from the Word of God—something that you can remind yourself of what’s true, even when your circumstances look anything like what it is that you’re contending for, to know that this is what’s true. Truth is immovable. It’s not going to change shape and waver like my life does. Truth is truth.” - Courtney Pray Duke 

    “God can do anything through a life surrendered to Him.” - Courtney Pray Duke 

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

    Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

    Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

    Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

    What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

    Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    12 February 2026, 6:00 am
  • 14 minutes 46 seconds
    [BONUS] Jesus Calling Scripture Study: The Book of Philippians with Nate Pickowicz

    Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, where we do a deep dive on the book of Philippians with Nate Pickowicz, the pastor of Harvest Bible Church. Nate walks us through the context of Philippians, and the life of the author—the apostle Paul—revealing how when we turn to God in the middle of our fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, we can find joy and peace that transcends our circumstances. 

     

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

     

    Nate Pickowicz

    Overcoming the Darkness 

    Book of Philippians



    Interview Quotes:

    “Paul is writing from a very personal experience, sort of an authoritative experience. He’s in prison writing about joy, this is something very near and dear to his heart.” - Nate Pickowicz

    “Even though [Paul’s] uncomfortable, even though he’s probably not where he wants to be, he’s not happy about where he is in prison, he has this transcendent view of his suffering that actually gives hope and gives an element of joy, because he knows that the gospel of Jesus Christ is going out because of that.” - Nate Pickowicz

    “Regardless of our circumstances, not only can we find joy in the midst of trouble, we can actually find a purpose for our suffering that God is using to accomplish His end.” - Nate Pickowicz

    “Paul connects these two worlds: he connects the experience of anxiety and worry and fear about the future, and he pairs it with thanksgiving and contentment and rejoicing.” - Nate Pickowicz

    “Once you recognize that everything that’s good comes from God, suddenly you realize that, If I’m anxious or worried, what might I need from the Lord? I can actually just turn to Him.” - Nate Pickowicz

    “Learning to become thankful becomes an antidote to anxiety and worry and fear and discontent. Being grateful to God for what He’s given changes the entire focus of our hearts.” - Nate Pickowicz

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    TikTok

    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    10 February 2026, 6:00 am
  • 32 minutes 52 seconds
    The Second Chance Playbook: Athletes Confront Hard Truths ft. Tim Green and Mike Flynt

    *This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.

    This week, in celebration of Super Bowl Sunday, we’ll hear from Tim Green, a former NFL player, bestselling author, and commentator. Tim, who now speaks with the assistance of technology due to a diagnosis of ALS, reflects on a life marked by ambition, the identity-shaking diagnosis of this neurodegenerative disease, and the perspective that transformed his understanding of what matters most in life. 

    Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Mike Flynt, whose story inspired the 2023 sports drama film The Senior. One day when talking with his friends, Mike shared one of his deepest regrets—getting kicked off the college football team as a senior. When asked, “Why don’t you do something about it?” Mike decided to pursue a second chance, and became the oldest linebacker of a college football team in NCAA history at age fifty-nine, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

     

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Rosie Rivera

    Upcoming interview: Stephen McWhirter

    Super Bowl Sunday

     

    Tim Green

    ALS

    Tracheotomy

    www.authortimgreen.com

    Rocket Arm

     

    Mike Flynt

    The Senior

    D-Day 

    Battle of The Bulge

    www.mikeflynt.com

     

    This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

    TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

     

    Interview Quotes:

    “These days, the most important thing I do is simply try to serve the people I love. My life’s work now is about family, about helping others, and about using whatever time and gifts God has given me to make a difference.” - Tim Green 

    “God had other plans—plans that were bigger than anything I could have imagined. Looking back, every step prepared me for the next one. He was weaving the story long before I knew it.”- Tim Green

    “What really matters is your faith, family, and identity in Christ—not in a jersey or a job. Football gave me a platform, but it’s faith and family that gave me a purpose.” - Tim Green 

    “My diagnosis forced me to confront what really matters—to put Christ at the center, not tucked quietly in the background. It made every day, every relationship, every breath more precious and more purposeful.” - Tim Green 

    “One morning, I woke up with a clarity I didn’t create that this wasn’t the end of my story. I realized that God had left me here for a reason. Maybe to show that even in suffering, His goodness can still shine. That moment was a second chance, and I wasn’t going to waste it.” - Tim Green 

    “Prayer became less about asking and more about resting. Peace came in small moments—a hand held, a smile, a sunset—reminders that God was still here.” - Tim Green 

    “Every chapter of my life has required a deeper anchor than achievement. When the applause stops, when the career ends, when the body fails, you need a foundation that won’t.” - Tim Green 

    “It was my profession of faith in Christ, and my realization that I know so little about Him, that started me on my journey in faith that I still pursue today.” - Mike Flynt 

    “So many people need to know that somebody else has overcome and that Christ was there and they can take that same concern, those same weaknesses, to Him and know that if He did it for Mike, He’d do it for anybody.” - Mike Flynt 

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

    Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

    Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

    Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

    What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

    Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Twitter

    Pinterest

    YouTube

    Website

    TikTok

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    5 February 2026, 6:00 am
  • 26 minutes 51 seconds
    Finding God in Anxiety, Waiting, and the Everyday Mess: Jeremy Rosado & Jason Gray

    Our first guest is Jeremy Rosado, who traced a path from New York City dreams to the bright lights of American Idol and The Voice. But the biggest spotlight in his life wasn’t a stage—it was the decision to lay down his music career for a season to become a father to his niece. Jeremy shares how choosing fatherhood over fame became a pivotal act of faith, and how God used the quiet, waiting years to prepare him for a powerful return to music. 

    Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Nashville singer, songwriter, and author Jason Gray. Jason offers a vulnerable look into his life—one shaped by music, but also by instability, a painful childhood divorce, and reckoning with his own difficult divorce. Jason shares how the wounds he incurred became the very doorway through which he met God. He reveals the radical peace found in accepting divine love and unpacks why allowing yourself to be loved is the most radical, powerful act of faith. 

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: nobigdyl.

    Upcoming interview: Tim Green

     

    Jeremy Rosado

    American Idol 

    The Voice

    www.iamjeremyrosado.com

    The Waiting Room

     

    Jason Gray

    Acoustic Story Time

    Frederick Buechner

    The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

    www.jasongraymusic.com

    Sparrows

     

    This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

    TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

     

    Interview Quotes:

    “I came off [American Idol] and took a few months—went to Nashville to start chasing this dream of mine. I quickly realized that my life was going to change and that there was a decision to be made [whether or not] to step in and help and become a father.” - Jeremy Rosado 

    “Even though that decision [to become a father to my niece] was not easy, it was worth it, and I would do it a million times over for my child. God provided and made ways for us. I look back now, and even in the pain and the tears, I can see His faithfulness and how He’s carried us.” - Jeremy Rosado 

    “When I did [The Voice], that trust and that reliance began to grow even more. It felt like every room I walked into, every stage I walked on, there was victory already there.It gave me renewed confidence in the God that I serve and in my ability to walk knowing that He’s with me and He’s for me. ” - Jeremy Rosado 

    “God knew how to cut through all of that [chaos] and speak the thing that He wanted me to hear in the way that He knew that I could understand it.” - Jason Gray 

    “All of a sudden, I had this profound sense of a loving presence in the car with me, as though it was holding me and it was saying, ‘Psst, hey, the words of this song that you love so much, this is my heart toward you. ‘When you’re weary, when you’re feeling small, when tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all like a bridge over troubled water.’” - Jason Gray

    “From a very young age, I was drawn to music, and it has always been one of the places that I meet with God and one of the ways through which He speaks.” - Jason Gray

    “I believe that when something connects us to our own heart, then in that same moment, worship spontaneously happens, and we are connected with the divine in that moment. Music has a way of connecting me to my heart and therefore brings me to the place where God meets with me.” - Jason Gray 

    “If you love tinkering on a car or working in the garden or listening to music or a conversation with a friend, those moments where you lose track of time and you forget yourself indicates that you’re on holy ground.” - Jason Gray

    “The Lord has usually come to me through other people. As inconsistent and as unreliable as we often are, He demonstrates that we are still His preferred delivery system for His love in the world.” - Jason Gray

    “My whole life, all the painful things—everything was leading to this moment to break me open enough to be able to receive the transformation that I had been praying for as long as I could remember. And that gave me a sense of peace and helped me to feel like I was no longer at the mercy of the storms of my life, but that this storm held within it the power to make me who I’d always wanted to be.” - Jason Gray

    “The way that I have observed how God works in my life is that if I get connected to my own heart, all of a sudden, He’s meeting with me there.” - Jason Gray 

    “If I love the Bible so much that I only allow God to speak to me through it rather than allowing it to train me to be more in tune with the still, small voice, the voice of the Holy Spirit, then I’ve probably loved it too much.” - Jason Gray

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

    Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

    Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

    Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

    What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

    Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    29 January 2026, 6:00 am
  • 9 minutes 16 seconds
    [JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] God, Help Us See You Through Our Mothers: SQuire Rushnell & Louise DuArt

    On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we’re joined by beloved authors/speakers who coined the term “Godwink”—SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. Godwinks are the little gifts left on our doorstep, the personal connection moments in which God lets us know we’re not alone. SQuire and Louise share about the latest title in their collection, Godwinks for Moms, and how the mothers and mother figures in our lives impact us, make a difference, and shape us into the people we are—all a part of God’s grand design and a way to show us how much He loves us. 

     

    Guest’s Links
    YouTube: @godwinks

    Facebook: @Godwinks

    Instagram: @godwinkguy

    Watch this interview on our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/3M8hI54 

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    Jesus Calling Website

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    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    27 January 2026, 6:00 am
  • 33 minutes 1 second
    When Giving Back is More Important Than Getting Ahead: Chris Blair & Cyndi Thomson

    This week, we sit down with Chris Blair, the owner of the Listening Room Cafe in Nashville, a place known not just for great music, but for the spirit of generosity that lives within its walls. Chris came to Nashville chasing a dream, but what began as a pursuit of music slowly became a calling to create space for others—space where stories are honored, community is formed, and giving back becomes more important than getting ahead.

    Later in the episode, we’ll also hear from country artist Cyndi Thomson, who experienced a rapid rise to fame with her debut album My World and hit song “What I Really Meant to Say.” At the height of her success, she began to struggle with panic attacks and a deep sense that God was moving her in a different direction. She shares the private process of wrestling with this decision, and how after walking away from her career, her focus became on the one individual over the accolades of the world. 

     

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary

    Upcoming interview: Jeremy Rosado

     

    Chris Blair

    The Listening Room Cafe 

    Tootsies

    Brian White

    Bridget Tatum

    Danny Myrick 

    Hands On Nashville 

    www.chrisblair.com

    www.listeningroomcafe.com

     

    Cyndi Thomson

    My World 

    www.cyndithomson.com

     

    This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

    TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

     

    Interview Quotes:

    “At The Listening Room, we connect people with the stories behind the songs. That’s our mission.” - Chris Blair

    “Part of the reason that I wanted to start the Listening Room in the first place [was] to bring in and spend thirty minutes to an hour with individual artists and songwriters and really share their story of not just the songs, but how they got started, their struggles, their wins, and all of that.” - Chris Blair 

    “We went through a lot of hard times in the early days, but that was the early dream of what I wanted people to experience when they walked into the doors of The Listening Room for the first time—that they just felt like they belonged and that they could walk out feeling like they were connected to the stories behind the songs in a way that they had never heard and couldn’t wait to come back.” - Chris Blair 

    “Because I’d come out of a bullying experience, I didn’t know what I was. [A teacher] was the first person to really call out what God had put on my life. She saw an anointing that I didn’t see, and I needed a teacher like that in my life.” - Cyndi Thomson

    “Looking back now, [walking away from my career] was self-preservation, and it was obviously the Lord’s hand on my life. So that decision came with much prayer. I remember having this moment where I was like, Okay, Lord, if you really want me to do this, I need something supernatural from You only.” - Cyndi Thomson

    “I think that time with the Lord on a daily basis can either make or break your day. How many times can we call it out by the end of the day, like, I didn’t spend my time with the Lord? You just know it. It just runs so differently when you do.” - Cyndi Thomson

    “God really does care about the ‘one,’ and He’ll go to any length to reach them.” - Cyndi Thomson

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

    Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

    Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

    Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

    What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

    Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Twitter

    Pinterest

    YouTube

    Website

    TikTok

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    22 January 2026, 6:00 am
  • 31 minutes 37 seconds
    [BONUS] Jesus Listens Prayers For Every Season: Winter

    Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness.

     

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

     

    Patsy Clairmont

    Herman Mendoza

    Kristin Smedley

    Tamron Hall

    Kevin Olusola

    Sabrina Greenlee

    ________________________ 

    Connect with Jesus Calling

    Instagram

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    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    20 January 2026, 6:00 am
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