Scott Hamilton is known for his incredible figure-skating career. Though he was picked on as a kid for his small size and choice of sport, he went on to win world championships and an olympic gold medal. But he faced even bigger challenges than landing a perfect backflip on ice. Listen to how God sustained Scott through the death of his mother, cancer, and a tumor that had more to do with his skating success than you might think. Show Notes and Resources Get the book, The Great Eight: How...

Season 5 is delayed until at least Fall of 2021. Until then, you can catch up on past episodes and soon a bonus episode with figure skater Scott Hamilton!

Finding out her daughter Sophie wouldn't survive outside the womb was devastating. Lindsay R. Dennis had months to prepare for what felt inevitable. She and her husband celebrated Sophie's short life while she was in the womb, including a trip to Disney and a boy band concert. But they couldn't prepare for going through it all ... again. Show Notes and Resources Buried Dreams: From Devastating Loss to Unimaginable Hope by Lindsey R. Dennis. ...

"My life is over." That's what Herman Mendoza thought as he raised his arms in surrender. The police had his house surrounded. His kids were in bed while his wife tried to defend him. He tried to run, but it was useless. A once powerful drug lord, Herman now faced life in prison. And "life" is exactly what he found there. Show Notes and Resources Shifting Shadows: How a New York Drug Lord Found Freedom in the Last Place He Expected by Herman Bendoza....

After being date-raped and becoming pregnant, Molly S. White was told the baby growing inside of her was not yet a baby. So she had an abortion. Years later and excited to be pregnant with triplets, she lost all three of the babies before birth. But she says in the midst of sin and struggle was where new life and new hope was found. Show Notes and Resources BOOK: "Deceived: God Brought Purpose from My Pain" by Molly S. White.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZMLM32Z/ Check out all that's...

LaMorris and Megan Crawford came from two different worlds. He grew up in gangs on the South Side of Chicago. She grew up sheltered in the cornfields of Indiana. But when Megan met LaMorris at a Christian college, she fell in love. Her parents, however, did not. They didn't have to meet him, he was black and that was enough. Show Notes and Resources LaMorris Crawford's website http://www.lamorriscrawford.com/ Support the Crawfords as Cru missionaries with Athletes In Action....

Now a reconstructive and plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark D. McDonough suffered severe burns as a teenager in a house fire that took his brother and mother. During his own surgery after the fire, he was awake but unable to alert the surgeons. Later in life he held pop singer Christina Grimmie as she died from gunshot wounds after a concert. And yet, through these and other tragic moments in his life, Dr. McDonough is able to trust God. How? Show Notes and Resources Forged through Fire: A...

Bob Fu wanted to become a communist leader. But after becoming a Christian, he instead led an underground, theological training center in China. He and his wife were eventually imprisoned, but were able to move to America after the intervention of a U.S. president. Show Notes and Resources God's Double Agent: The True Story of a Chinese Christian's Fight for Freedom by Bob Fu and Nancy French https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801017068/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_eNTnFbQRND72A ChinaAid....

What happens when devastation interrupts a good life? For Rhonda Robinson, June 3, 2008, was a day that would split her life in two. On that day two of Rhonda's sons were involved in an accident. One son survived, one did not. Show Notes and Resources FreeFall: Holding onto Faith When the Unthinkable Strikes by Rhonda Robinson. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1563093006/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_0KTnFbWK9BSYD Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network. Your generous...

Dr. John M. Perkins was born in poverty in rural Mississippi and became a leader in the civil rights movement. In 1970, he was tortured by white police officers in jail. Instead of returning evil with evil, God gave him a desire to preach a gospel that could save blacks and whites together. Show Notes and Resources Dream with Me: Race, Love, and the Struggle We Must Win by John M. Perkins https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801075866/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_IHTnFbY7P5R9C Let Justice Roll Down by...

A new season of Unfavorable Odds™ is coming in September 2020. More stories of hardship, tragedy, and heartbreak, and what happens when healing is found in Christ. You can subscribe now on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Until then, you can catch up on past episodes or check out our other podcasts on the FamilyLife® Podcast Network at https://www.familylife.com/podcasts.

A few years ago, Angela Ray Rodgers posted a video online of her then 3-year-old daughter, Grace Anna, singing the national anthem at the top of her lungs. The adorable rendition gained national attention. Grace Anna is one seriously cute little girl who has some seriously challenging health issues, including enduring several life restorative surgeries. Her mother's book, Grace Anna Sings, tells the story of a brave little girl whose joy in the midst of her challenges has brought hope and...

Vicki Rose dreamed of having a beautiful family and of being rich and famous. So marrying Billy should've been a dream come true. They lived in Manhattan, hung out with important people, and ate at fancy restaurants. But married life was more like a nightmare. Between drug addiction and a long separation, divorce looked inevitable. But God had other plans. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Vicki Rose or her book, Every Reason to Leave: And Why We Chose to Stay Together....

Dr. S. Todd Townsend grew up in the inner city of Philadelphia and, in his own words, was a "common thug." He dealt drugs, stole cars, and broke into people's homes. He was heading for a life of destruction-until Jesus intervened. Dr. Townsend is the senior pastor of the Resurrection Center in Wilmington, Delaware, and author of "Getting Up From Being Down." Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Dr. S. Todd Townsend or his book, Getting Up From Being Down. https://stoddtownsend.com/ ...

Carlos Evans was on his fourth deployment, serving as a Marine. While leading his team on foot patrol, he stepped on an explosive device, leaving him with life-altering injuries. The journey to recovery would not be easy for Carlos or his wife, Rosemarie. But by God's grace, they were able to turn tragedy into triumph. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Carlos and Rosemarie Evans or their book, Standing Together. https://crevans.org/ Check out all that's available on the...

Terry Wardle grew up in a small coal mining town with a tough, dysfunctional extended family in which the men had a distaste for religion and education. Despite a traumatizing childhood, Terry became a Christian, earned a doctorate, and would eventually become dean of a seminary in New York. But after losing a job for being too controversial, Terry spiraled into depression and could barely get out of bed. He checked himself into a psychiatric facility and for the first time encountered true...

Shelly Genovese Calhoun married the man of her dreams, moved to New Jersey, and started modeling in New York City. Her husband worked on Wall Street. They built a house and had a beautiful baby girl. Returning home on September 10, 2001, from a family trip to Texas, Shelly had no idea it would be her last night together with her husband. Shelly tells her story of finding God's grace in the midst of tragic loss. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Shelly Genovese Calhoun or her book,...

Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne's pretzels, grew up in a loving Amish-Mennonite home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where feelings were not often put to words. As an adult, she lost her nineteen-month-old daughter in an accident, and things got worse when she opened up and confided in her pastor. Anne tells of how trauma and tragedy changed her, and the healing she has found in God. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Anne Beiler or her book, The Secret Lies Within....

Rebecca Bender went from good kid, to stripper, to prostitute. Wanting a family for her daughter, she followed her boyfriend, only to be sold for sex. How did it happen? And why was it so hard to leave? Rebecca tells her story of being trafficked and how God delivered her. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Rebecca Bender or her book, In Pursuit of Love. https://rebeccabender.org/ National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888,  SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO") Check...

A new season of Unfavorable Odds™ is coming in March 2020.More stories of hardship, tragedy, and heartbreak, and what happens when healing is found in Christ. You can subscribe now on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Until then, you can catch up on past episodes or check out our other podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network at FamilyLife.com/Podcasts.

Clementine Bahiga's infectious laugh and positive outlook are not what you expect from someone with her past. Life was good growing up in Rwanda, until, at age 8, genocide forced her family to flee their home. She survived a violent attack and a disease-ridden refugee camp before getting the chance to move to the U.S. with her family. Even after arriving in the U.S., her troubles didn't end. She was bullied in school, and a devastating miscarriage later in life was followed by suicidal...

Moments after Daniel Ritchie was born without arms and with difficulty breathing, the doctor asked his father, "Do you want us to let him go?" Thankfully Daniel's father said no. His childhood would be similar to any other boy's, except he had to figure out how to do everything with his feet-from playing with toy cars to eating. The innocence of childhood would give way to cynicism in his teen years as Daniel realized his life was much different than everybody else's. Being different invited...

Dr. René Rochester and her best friend committed to each other they would get yearly mammograms. The year she almost missed it, Dr. Rochester was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through the support of her close friends, her students, her medical team, and the providential timing of it all, Dr. Rochester was able to go through treatment without having to even miss much work. Her healing was not instantaneous; it was more of a process God took her through. But her faith in God and His Word has...

A gang can look like a family to a kid who grows up with an abusive father and little sense of family at home. For Casey Diaz, it was the protection and loyalty of a gang that drew him in. After violent initiations and living the gang life, Casey was arrested for murder while still a teenager. In prison, Casey became a “shot caller” and commanded the respect of enemy gang members. Then while enduring solitary confinement for most of everyday, he was visited by an unexpected visitor and would...