Finding hope after life’s detours

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with longtime Christian media voices Dawn Rae May and Steve Hiller to talk about faith, resilience, and what it looks like to trust God when life takes an unexpected turn. Dawn and Steve share their journeys into Christian radio, the challenges of live morning shows, and the sudden job loss that forced them into a season of deep uncertainty and dependence on God.

Along the way, they reflect on grief, family, financial stress, and the spiritual practices that sustained them—journaling, stillness, prayer, and leaning into community. Dawn and Steve also discuss the transition from daily radio to launching their podcast, Dawn and Steve Plus, and why conversations around spiritual and mental health matter now more than ever. This honest and hope-filled conversation reminds listeners of the vital role of the local church and the enduring promise that God is at work, even when the path forward feels unclear.

Topics

(0:00): Introduction 

(1:40): Dawn Rae and Steve’s journey into Christian media

(6:07): Challenges of morning radio

(12:00): Life changes and termination

(15:05): Processing grief and loss

(22:50): Trusting and waiting on God

(30:20): Processing job loss together

(35:41): The importance of community

(45:03): Media as a supplement to church

(50:11): Final thoughts and encouragement

Resources

• Dawn and Steve Plus
• Walking in His Commands Lent devotional 
• Ask Us Anything: info@denisonforum.org
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Dawn Rae May

Dawn has worked in Christian radio for over two decades, in three states. She loves talking about the Lord, his Word and how life intersects with both. Dawn and her husband Ben, have three grown children and live just outside of Nashville, TN. 

About Steve Hiller

Steve is Director of Products for Open the Bible. He also serves as the co-host and producer of Open the Bible's radio program. You can also hear Steve as the co-host of Treasured Truth with Pastor James Ford Jr. and Encounter the Truth with Jonathan Griffiths. Steve and his wife, Suzy, have three children, and live in Nashville, TN.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.