Stephanie Daniels welcomes her good friend and colleague Mary Grace Burkey back to the podcast for a heartfelt conversation about two significant topics: marriage and disability. Mary Grace shares her story of meeting her husband Chad at a Joni and Friends Warrior Getaway, which supports Veterans and their families. Chad sustained a traumatic brain injury while serving overseas, which left him with a disability. When they decided to get married, Mary Grace became not only Chad’s wife, but...

Stephanie Daniels welcomes her friend and co-worker, Mary Grace Burkey, to the podcast for a deep look at the unique needs of military families—and what you can do to support them. With 25 years of experience serving with Joni and Friends, Mary Grace began as a volunteer and now oversees our Texas-area Retreats & Getaways. Organizing multiple Warrior Getaways every year, she shares valuable insights into their life-changing benefits—respite, spiritual renewal, and healing—not just for...

Stephanie Daniels welcomes married couple Cedric and Michelle White to the podcast. Both pastors, authors, and counselors, Cedric and Michelle work together in ministry strengthening families through biblical counseling and coaching. They also understand firsthand the struggles that many Veteran families face—including PTSD and moral injury—through Cedric’s experience serving with the U.S. Navy. This Christ-centered couple shares about the journey that led them to care deeply for Veteran...

Welcome to this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series where Joni shares how the Bible—the Word of God—has been the light unto her feet, her comfort through long nights of suffering, and the unshakeable foundation for her life. Through decades coping with quadriplegia and chronic pain, it’s the promises of the Bible that have brought hope through Joni’s hardship, and spurred her on to share the love of Jesus with countless others. Don’t miss this powerful—and, of...

Ron Sandison shares his story of growing up on the autism spectrum and offers encouragement for those navigating life with autism. Leaning on Jesus, and with the support of his family, Ron has built a fulfilling and purposeful life. Now, as an author, professor, husband, and father, Ron provides insight to parents raising children with autism, spreading the important message that all children can flourish and mature through the love of their families and the love of Jesus.

Tune in for a conversation with Stacy DeWitt who serves as the Executive Director of James Storehouse, a ministry dedicated to caring for foster children. There are over 400,000 children in foster care; many face unimaginable hardships and are left feeling rejected and alone. That’s why James Storehouse steps in, fulfilling the call found in James 1:27, to look after the orphans in their distress. By offering essential support to foster children—including those with disabilities—the ministry...

What is grace and how can it change your life? In this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series, Joni shares how grace has flowed through her life in a transformational way. When Joni broke her neck in a diving accident and became paralyzed at age 17, she discovered grace like never before—as light piercing through the darkness of her despair and sin, bringing joy and healing to her life, and illuminating the path ahead. Now, decades later, Joni can personally...

Christian counselor, author, and mother Darby Strickland joins Crystal Keating to talk about how to guide the children in your life through traumatic experiences. When your children, grandchildren, or other children you care for suffer, in big ways and small, you may at times feel powerless to help. But with God-given wisdom, patience, and compassion, you can provide support as they encounter serious challenges, and even devastating suffering. Tune in for help and encouragement from Darby...

Welcome to this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series where Joni shares a surprising truth: After more than 57 living with quadriplegia, paralysis is not the most difficult part of her life. No, what troubles Joni more than her visible disability is the chronic pain that often feels crushing. It robs her of sleep and sometimes takes her breath away. But over the years, she’s has learned to invite Jesus into her pain, and he has met her every time, speaking words...

How do you help someone who is grieving? Or, if you’re experiencing grief yourself, what do wish others knew about what helps—and what just makes things worse? Poet Emily Curtis joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about bringing hope to those who are grieving. Be inspired by Emily’s biblical insight and heartfelt encouragement for facing grief.

This episode of the podcast features the stories two beautiful young women, Vicki and Liz. Though they never met, God wove their lives together through a beloved purple wheelchair and the power of his grace. Vicki lived with profound disabilities. She also exuded joy and made others happy everywhere she went. When she died unexpectedly the day after Mother’s Day at 27 years old, Vicki’s parents, Scott and Laura, were heartbroken beyond belief. They held on to Vicki’s beloved purple...

If you recognize the name of our guest, Michael Hingson, you’ve likely heard the story of how Michael, who was born blind, and his guide dog, Roselle, escaped the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Trusting God and encouraging others, Michael and Roselle walked down 78 flights of stairs as panic and smoke rose around them. Michael joins host Stephanie Daniels on the podcast to share about his life as a blind person navigating a sighted world, and how to build deeper trust in God that...

Don’t miss this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series where Joni digs into the topic of healing. Imagine you’re an athletic, ambitious teenager looking forward to starting college. It’s a hot day at the beach. On a whim, you plunge into the water and your neck snaps as your head hits the sandy bottom. Life will never be the same… After her diving accident, Joni recalls fervently asking God for healing—to walk again and regain use of her hands; to get out of bed...

Philip Yancey, a renowned author and avid investigator of the mysteries of the Christian faith, joins Crystal Keating for a deep and honest conversation you won’t want to miss. No stranger to wrestling with doubt and suffering, Philip often writes about encountering God in our pain. In this episode he shares about his latest book and opens up about his own recent hardships, including diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease and cancer. He points to the life-giving truth while God may not remove our...

Rachel LeMaster who lives with Turner syndrome and survived a car accident that caused a severe traumatic brain injury, returns to the podcast along with her husband Caleb. Together they share how God wove their stories together and keeps their marriage strong. In this episode, Rachel and Caleb join Crystal Keating and Stephanie Daniels to reflect on how God’s grace and purposes work all things together for the good of those who love Jesus. Don’t miss this uplifting conversation that will...

At age 23, Rachel Bailey (now Rachel Bailey LeMaster) was finishing a college certificate in nutrition and personal training. Living with a genetic condition called Turner syndrome, Rachel had weathered experiences of bullying and exclusion, but she found purpose and strength through her faith and community. Seeking ways to share the Gospel through her life, Rachel hoped to serve as a missionary one day. But all her plans got upended in 2011 when a truck smashed into her car on her way to...

Tune in as host Crystal Keating talks with Stephanie Daniels, who is sharing the mic this season. Stephanie opens up about poignant aspects of her story, including the challenges navigating the disabilities of aging parents, and coping with the onset of an autoimmune disease, all while seeking God’s guidance. Don’t miss this encouraging episode that will inspire you to praise God in all circumstances and tap into the deep, peaceful joy that comes from trusting Jesus.

Don’t miss this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series, as she shares about her experience serving on the National Council on Disability, contributing to the drafting and passage of the groundbreaking 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. Hear Joni’s reflection on the power of the law compared to the power of the Gospel: while the law can change discriminatory structures, the Gospel is the only thing that can change hearts, bringing about culture change that...

Joel Vander Molen joins host Crystal Keating on the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast to share about his experience living with quadriplegia. After surviving a car accident that left him paralyzed at age three, Joel has faced many challenges. Through reliance on God and with the loving help of his family and caregivers, Joel has learned to thrive, living a full life that blesses those around him. As a part-time pastor, dedicated mentor, and tech-business owner, Joel encourages others...

Vicki Zoradi returns to the podcast to share more about her story of growing in faith following a battle with severe sepsis that led to a quadruple amputation. In this second conversation, Vicki talks about how her faith in God and her relationships—particularly her marriage—have carried her through grief and struggle. Speaking a mighty word of Scriptural encouragement, Vicki invites you to bring your deepest griefs to Jesus, trusting him to anchor and restore your soul amid life’s storms.

On her 60th birthday, shortly after receiving a Teacher of the Year award, Vicki was diagnosed with a seemingly harmless kidney stone. But when the kidney stone became lodged between her bladder and kidney, Vicki’s health took a frightening turn. Tune in to hear this first installment of Vicki’s powerful story of facing death and losing four limbs, only to find deeper faith in God than ever before. Even when tested by fire, you’ll be encouraged to bring your most acute pains and toughest...

Celeste Sharpe joins Stephanie Daniels to share about her experience living with cerebral palsy and finding deep, Christ-centered strength to become a person who can have gratitude through grief. Tune in for Celeste’s inspiring story about how she has been blessed to have guidance from two mothers—her biological mother, and her maternal grandmother, whom she lovingly called ‘Mom’, both of whom have pointed her to Jesus and brought her lasting joy!

Tune in for this powerful installment of Joni’s “Heart of the Founder” series. Addressing the topic of mobility, Joni Eareckson Tada draws on deep personal experience, having lived with quadriplegia for more than five decades. Joni can attest to the freedom that mobility equipment can bring—not only for a disabled individual but also for their family members and community. Don’t miss this encouraging message about how a wheelchair and the love of Jesus can change lives, now and forever.

Meet Dr. Benjamin Warf—a special needs father and pediatric neurosurgeon who has pioneered new ways to treat young children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. As a neurosurgeon at Boston Children’s Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Warf has a passion for training the next generation of surgeons and improving access to quality care. In all aspects of his work and personal life, he brings the love of Christ to his patients, students, and family.