Episodes
On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we’ll hear from country singer/songwriter Paige King Johnson, who first fell in love with music when her grandfather gifted her a guitar when she was just a little girl. Paige shares about her new song, “I Thank God,” a prayer turned into a song that reminds us to be grateful for the gifts God gives us, and how practicing being grateful can change our lives for the better.    Guest’s Links Facebook: @PaigeKingJohnson Instagram:...
Published 11/26/24
Published 11/26/24
This week, we explore the journeys of two remarkable women who have navigated the complexities of faith, community, and personal struggles. First, we’ll hear from Dr. Sarita Lyons, Director of Discipleship and Women’s Ministry at Epiphany Fellowship Church in Philadelphia. Sarita shares her deep love for Scripture, and how that juxtaposed with her personal, challenging experiences in a church setting. She attempts to shed light on the complexities of church relationships and the importance of...
Published 11/21/24
Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Nicholas Sparks, a renowned author whose novels like The Notebook and A Walk to Remember have touched hearts around the world. While many know him for his captivating love stories, few realize that Nicholas’ journey to writing was born out of personal setbacks and unexpected moments of faith. He’ll let us in on his latest book, Counting Miracles, ​​a powerfully emotional novel about wondering if we can change—or even make our peace with—the path we've...
Published 11/14/24
This content may be triggering for some listeners. This week we talk with Scotty Hasting, a combat wounded Army infantryman turned national recording artist. Scotty’s journey from the battlefield to the stage is nothing short of remarkable. After surviving a harrowing attack in Afghanistan, where he was shot multiple times, Scotty fought to recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through his battles with PTSD and depression, he found healing in music—an outlet that not only brought...
Published 11/07/24
Country music has a rich tradition, inspired by gospel music—sharing a common core of storytelling, emotional expression, and a love of faith and family. Some of today’s brightest country stars embrace those roots, and sing their faith to the thousands of listeners who come to their shows and buy their music. Today, we have a special bonus episode featuring some of those artists, all who have contributed to a brand new collection of music from Jesus Calling, called “Songs for Sundays.”    ...
Published 11/05/24
*This episode mentions suicide and depression and may not be suitable for all listeners.* Our first guest is Sabrina Greenlee—the mother of NFL star DeAndre Hopkins, a grandmother, and a survivor—whose faith was the lifeline that broke the cycle of violence that followed her throughout her life.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from professional IndyCar driver Sting Ray Robb, who shares how his childhood passion evolved into a lifelong career, and how his faith has guided him through...
Published 10/31/24
On this episode of Jesus Listens, we hear from Dr. Jim Burns, the president of HomeWord and a renowned author and speaker. Dr. Burns shares his passion for empowering families to succeed by helping parents and children navigate the challenges of today's culture.    Guest’s Links Facebook: @jim.burns Instagram: @drjimburns   Twitter: @drjimburns ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website TikTok   ...
Published 10/29/24
*This episode contains mature content and may not be suitable for all listeners.* This week, we’re joined by Sherry Hoppen—author, speaker, recovery coach, and founder of She Surrenders. Sherry recounts her family history of alcohol abuse, and how she herself descended into a secret addiction to alcohol, all the while trying to paint the perfect picture of her life as a wife, a mom, and a Christian.  Later, we’ll hear from author and advocate Tanya Glessner, who also struggled with...
Published 10/24/24
*This episode mentions violence and may not be suitable for all listeners.* This week, we’re joined by two remarkable guests: former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and evangelist Preston Perry. Both have navigated complex challenges, from political arenas to personal struggles, all while remaining deeply committed to their faith in God. Scott Morrison reflects on his time as Prime Minister of Australia, leading through natural disasters, global crises, and the balancing act of...
Published 10/17/24
This week, we explore how two individuals answered the call to serve those in need, and how their actions have sparked movements of care and compassion that are changing lives one small step at a time. We’ll hear from Adrien Lewis, a devoted husband, father, and founder of CarePortal, an innovative platform that connects churches and communities to families in need. Adrien shares how a mission trip to Haiti transformed his life, shifting his perspective and leading him to put his faith into...
Published 10/10/24
This week, we’ll hear from two influential voices in the Christian community, and . Joe Dobbins, pastor of Twin Rivers Church in St. Louis, Missouri, and author of , shares he and his wife's painful experiences with their church and the healing...
Published 10/03/24
Sometimes life hands us a situation, or an experience, that we never expected. Maybe it’s something exciting, like a new relationship or adventure, but sometimes it can be full of sorrow, too, like the loss of a job we loved or an unexpected illness...
Published 09/26/24
On this episode of Jesus Listens, we hear from Petrina Pacheco, a singer-songwriter from Biloxi, Mississippi. She reveals a season of her life when she was in an abusive relationship and how she found freedom and healing from that situation. Today,...
Published 09/24/24
*This episode mentions suicide and depression and may not be suitable for all listeners.* In an era where the pressures of modern life can feel overwhelming, two remarkable stories offer a unique perspective in our increasingly digital world. Our...
Published 09/19/24
*This episode mentions violence and may be triggering for some listeners.*  This week, we talk with , a former NFL running back who played ten years with the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets. Beyond his impressive career on the field, Matt has...
Published 09/12/24
*This episode contains content that may be triggering for some listeners.* Our guests this week went through circumstances that could potentially cause someone to want to give up. But instead of descending into panic, or utter hopelessness, they re-centered their focus on their faith, and trusted God that He would provide a way forward.  Blind speaker Michael Hingson faced the unimaginable as a survivor of 9/11, escaping from tower one with the help of his guide dog, Roselle, and the spirit...
Published 09/05/24
This week, we explore stories of service from two guests who have made it their life’s work to help others.  Dr. Ming Wang is a renowned, cutting-edge laser eye surgeon who grew up with a dad in medicine, so it was ingrained in him from an early age to help people. Dr. Wang shares his incredible life experiences—including how he narrowly escaped a life of hard labor while living in China—how his atheist worldview was shaken while in medical school, and how he now helps people living in...
Published 08/29/24
On this episode of Jesus Listens, we hear from Daniel Maritz, a Youtuber and author, who shares how aspects of his life mirror the story of the prodigal son. He opens up about the pivotal moment when the pain of loss brought him to his knees, and how he found his way back through prayer.     Guest’s Links Daniel Maritz’s Facebook: @MaritzDaniel Daniel Maritz’s Instagram: @Daniel_Maritz Daniel Maritz’s YouTube: @DLMChristianLifestyle ________________________  Connect with Jesus...
Published 08/27/24
This week, we talk with multi-talented actor Tahj Mowry. Known for his roles in beloved TV shows like Smart Guy, Full House, and Disney's Kim Possible, Tahj shares his journey from a child actor to an adult in the industry, how he stays grounded in a sometimes chaotic environment, and the joy and gratitude he taps into through his faith.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Melvin Crispell III, a remarkable gospel recording artist who grew up immersed in the church and followed in the...
Published 08/22/24
This week, we have the privilege of hearing from Dr. Alan Weissenbacher, the managing editor of the journal Theology and Science and a teaching pastor in Berkeley, California. Deriving from his work with those who struggle with addiction, he illustrates how we can harness the power of neuroscience to change our habits, emphasizing the importance of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, and how our focus can reshape our brain's pathways, which includes the disciplines of prayer and...
Published 08/15/24
This week, we are delighted to have Sarah Kroger, a talented singer/songwriter and worship leader from Nashville, Tennessee. Sarah shares the early days of her creative exploration while facing bullying, and how when she attended a transformative youth conference, she realized that faith could be something that was alive in your life, not just a box to be checked off on Sundays. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Clare McCallan, an accomplished author and creative director of St. Joseph's...
Published 08/08/24
If there is one thing we all desire as human beings, it is to be known—truly, deeply known—and loved just as we are. Psalm 139 says “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me… you are familiar with all my ways,” reminding us that we can experience the joy of being known to our core when we look to the Lord. Ainsley Britain is an Enneagram coach who delves into how we were individually and uniquely made by God, and how we can apply the knowledge of how we were created to our relationships...
Published 08/01/24
On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we hear from TV personality Lydia McLaughin. Lydia leaned on God throughout her experience on the Real Housewives of Orange County. She also talks about how her faith held her up during her mother’s sickness.    Guest’s Links Lydia McLaughlin’s Facebook: @oclydia Lydia McLaughlin’s Twitter: @oclydia Lydia McLaughlin’s Instagram: @oclydia  _______________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest ...
Published 07/30/24
Our first guest, Patsy Clairmont, is a renowned author, speaker, and one of the founding speakers for Women of Faith. Patsy’s early years were marked by severe anxiety and depression. Whispering prayers of desperation for anything to help her through this time, she was surprised by the small, simple steps God gave her that helped her emerge from the darkness. The surprises would continue to come as she moved from barely being able to leave the house to speaking to millions of people—inspiring...
Published 07/25/24