Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

This episode mentions suicide and depression and may not be suitable for all listeners. This week, we’ll hear from actress and producer Patricia Heaton. Beloved for her roles in Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle, Patricia has faced seasons of grief and depression while navigating the ups and downs of a demanding industry, and shares how she has used comedy as a way to connect on a deeper level, helping others find light and meaning even in life’s hardest moments. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from journalist Anita Vogel. With a career spanning more than three decades, Anita has reported from small-town newsrooms to national television screens. She’s covered some of the nation’s biggest stories, but behind the headlines, it’s her interviews with everyday heroes and her experiences on the frontlines of breaking news that have shaped her deep commitment to telling meaningful, lasting stories.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Nika King Upcoming interview: Steve Wohlberg Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV   Patricia Heaton St. Cecilia’s convent Aneurysm Unexpected Everybody Loves Raymond  The Middle www.patriciaheatonofficial.com   Anita Vogel Fox News Channel  University of Southern California Congressional Medal of Honor The People Concern in Los Angeles Pacific Palisades  Interview Quotes: “When my mom died, it was so important that we had our Catholic faith because there’s a certain foundation with that that you land on when things like that happen. You’re still dealing with grief and pain and there’s suffering, but because we knew she was with Jesus, there’s certain things you don’t have to wonder about.” - Patricia Heaton  “There were times when I could feel depression coming on, as if someone was taking a shade and pulling it down. I could feel it coming on, and I remember I would just be saying prayers over and over. So, it definitely gives you a solid landing place while you’re struggling.” - Patricia Heaton   “The entertainment industry is really a difficult industry—there are no guarantees and there is zero security. It’s actually a really good place to be, because in life, there’s zero security except our relationship with Jesus. That’s the only guarantee.” - Patricia Heaton  “The balance to try and strike is to be in the moment as much as possible—present to what God wants you to do and present to the people that you’re in the room with so that no event is ever wasted.” - Patricia Heaton “You do commit, but you have to know that you’re not in charge of the result. So in that sense, I’ve always had to let God be God because things fall apart so easily. We just have to believe that He has a plan, and that He will open doors and shut doors, and that’s what’s best for us.” - Patricia Heaton “Your family and your relationships and each other are the most important things, and God has you in His hands through all of it.” - Patricia Heaton “God is much bigger than our problems. He’s much bigger than our sins. He’s bigger than our failings, so we just need to learn to rest and relax in Him and trust and have faith in His love for us.” - Patricia Heaton  “God is in control, and as a human being, you can only do as much as you can to survive, to protect your loved ones, to protect others. At the end of the day, God is present and He is watching all of this, and we just have to have faith that things are unfolding according to His plan.” - Anita Vogel “I always say a prayer and I always ask God to help comfort these people to get them through this horrific time. I don’t know how God does it. He has His own special way. We just have to have faith that He does something special for these people, to bring some kind of peace and comfort back into their lives.” - Anita Vogel “That’s one of the highlights of my career—that I do get to meet people from all walks of life and people who helped shape my life.” - Anita Vogel  _______________________ 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.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, focusing on the tragic events in Texas that happened in July 2025 with deadly flooding in Kerr County, and the heroic folks who have come to the aid of those who have lost so much.   Devastating floods, triggered by torrential rains and the rapidly rising Guadalupe River, struck Kerr County, Texas. This catastrophe, which resulted in numerous missing persons and confirmed deaths, now stands as the second deadliest flood in Texas history. As search efforts for the missing continue and debris cleanup is underway, singer/songwriter Cory Asbury, known for his song “Reckless Love,” alongside other musicians, organized a benefit concert. Their aim was to provide hope, solace, and aid to the affected families who are striving to rebuild their lives. Cory highlights how these families’ experiences have resonated nationwide, underscoring the enduring power of love in times of adversity.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens   Camp Mystic Camp Mystic girls singing “Reckless Love” “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury Texas On My Mind fundraiser t-shirts  Patrick Mahomes Tim Tebow Derek Carr Russell Wilson Morgan Wallen Eric Church    Cory’s website Corey’s Facebook Corey’s Instagram Corey’s Twitter/X Corey’s YouTube   Youth-Reach Houston Youth-Reach Houston’s Facebook Youth-Reach Houston’s Twitter/X Youth-Reach Houston’s Instagram   Interview Quotes: “When we heard about the flooding there in the hill country of Texas, we knew we had to get involved. We’re praying for you guys, we’re behind you guys, we know what you’re going through, and we’re with you in whatever capacity we can be.” - Cory Asbury “We put together the benefit show in literally 10 days. We did this show in Nashville as sort of an extension of love from here. To see people come together like that was really beautiful.” - Cory Asbury  “It was emotional just being able to gather for those folks and know that we can do something, whether big or small, to kind of lighten their load.” - Cory Asbury “I have been able to personally see the work that [Youth-Reach Houston has] done. And it's truly incredible to see these families when they knock on the door and say, ‘Hey, can we cut these trees down for you? Can we rebuild your roof?’ And to watch these families just weep knowing that God is there with them is incredible.” - Cory Asbury “I feel like [the song]  ‘Reckless Love’ is the opus of my life. I feel like it encapsulates all of my life, all of my experiences. It was me knowing what an absolute failure I was on so many colossal levels. And then God’s still going, ‘Hey, I’m still beating down your door. I still want you. I’m still chasing you down, though you’re chasing after other things.’” - Cory Asbury “Through all things with prayer and supplication, make your request known to God, right? So we open our mouths and we go, ‘God, I can’t do this. I’m freaking out. I don’t know how to deal with this situation. Can you please help?’ And I think there's something beautiful to that honesty that He steps in and He helps.” - Cory Asbury “There’s no better prescription for anxiety or stress than to actually take it to [God] in prayer. And He doesn’t mind honesty, that’s what I’ve found. He’s waiting to help.” - Cory Asbury ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week, we’re joined by Sissy Goff and David Thomas, longtime counselors and co-executive directors at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville. With over three decades of experience each, Sissy and David have dedicated their lives to walking alongside kids and families as they face anxiety and stress and providing kids with tools for healthy living. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from authors and speakers Gabe and Rebekah Lyons. Gabe and Rebekah are parents to four children—including two with Down syndrome—and they share about the unexpected challenges that have deepened their family’s bond.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Ellie Holcomb Upcoming interview: Patricia Heaton Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV   Sissy Goff  David Thomas Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville Raising Boys and Girls square breathing www.raisingboysandgirls.com The Daystar Dogs   Gabe and Rebekah Lyons Down syndrome THINQ Media The Fight for Us: Overcome What Divides to Build a Marriage That Thrives Interview Quotes: “[We are] teaching kids that God’s equipped us with something as simple as breathing that will begin to slow down our heart rates and settle our bodies so we can feel more in control of our emotions.” - David Thomas  “We can only take the kids we love as far as we’re going ourselves. If we’re not regulating our own bodies, if we are not able to respond rather than react, then everybody’s going to be  operating out of the amygdala of their brain, which is the fight or flight region of our brain.” - Sissy Goff  “Helping [children] learn that they can lean into how loved they are and to where God has uniquely gifted them, and step out in that to experience things that might sound a little scary, ends up being a whole lot of fun, and really rewarding, too.” - Sissy Goff “We were gracious that God helped bond us through a crisis that we weren’t expecting. That’s given us a bond and a trust and a lesson to keep going back to His faithfulness, as well as what it means to turn towards one another.” - Gabe Lyons  “Every season of life is an invitation for conflict and stress because it’s new. We’re all rookies throughout the entirety of our marriage.” - Rebekah Lyons “Sometimes in a marriage relationship you dream early on, but man, as life piles up, we’ve had to really implement a structure of our rhythms that allow us to keep having conversations about the future.” - Gabe Lyons “[In marriage] we’ve realized that God’s given us each other as part of our healing, to help us experience the fullness of feeling alive and being connected.” - Gabe Lyons  “We’re so grateful for the example of Jesus who modeled humility, who humbled Himself, that He took death on a cross so we could be free, we could have life. We believe that’s a picture of what our marriage should look like—humbling ourselves, walking in the freedom that Jesus paid for so that we could have that.” - Rebekah Lyons  _______________________ 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.

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners. This week, we’ll hear from Erin Leigh Nelson, founding executive director of Jessica’s House, a grief support center for children, teens, young adults, and their families coping with the loss of a parent or sibling. Erin’s story is marked by deep personal loss—waves of tragedy that shaped her life and inspired a mission to help others heal. Through heartbreak and resilience, she’s found a way to create a space where young hearts can find hope, expression, and connection. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Allie Marie Smith, a writer, speaker, mental health advocate, and founder of Wonderfully Made, a nonprofit that helps young women discover their worth. Once a high-achieving student and athlete, Allie faced a battle with depression and trauma that reshaped her path.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Jay Lowder Upcoming interview: David Thomas & Sissy Goff Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV   Erin Leigh Nelson Jessica’s House Psalm 68:5-6 NIV Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon When Grief Comes Home   Allie Marie Smith Wonderfully Made Social Media Reset Interview Quotes: “After Carter died, I just had this sense that I felt unsafe in the world. I wondered where God was and if He noticed. I had prayed so much for protection for my children, and I went into a raw place of grief.” - Erin Leigh Nelson  “I experienced this beholding of love that was so deep—and it was beautiful in some way—because I had this feeling of God surrounding me even in the darkness.” - Erin Leigh Nelson “I adopted a practice of just sitting in silence in God’s love for ten minutes every morning. I think it really did increase my intimacy with Him because I was able to be so honest and be in a place of unbelief for as long as it took.” - Erin Leigh Nelson  “When a child has support, when they can express what they’re going through, when they can find ways of expression through art and music and play, they are more likely to experience post-traumatic growth.” - Erin Leigh Nelson  “If you don’t take the time to be with your healing, to surrender to the grief process that God has placed in each of us, sometimes we can miss the depth of how much healing we can discover for ourselves.” - Erin Leigh Nelson “Every day was a battle. I was struggling silently, and no one knew. The way I coped was I hustled for my worth, and I pushed back against the depression through overachieving and through perfectionism.” - Allie Marie Smith  “I felt abandoned by God. I thought that when I gave my life to Him, I wouldn’t have any more troubles or I would never struggle with mental health issues again.” - Allie Marie Smith  “I have been waiting my entire life to hear that I wasn’t an accident, that there was a God who intentionally and lovingly created me with awe and dignity and purpose, and that I was so loved and held by God.” - Allie Marie Smith  “As we meditate on things that are true and good and lovely, God can actually heal the neural pathways in our brain. We can live our lives to the fullest without any regrets.” - Allie Marie Smith  “You’re not broken. You have been chosen. You are so valuable and loved, and God has a hope and a future for you. This isn’t the end of your story—there is hope.” - Allie Marie Smith  ________________________ 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.

On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we’ll hear from special needs mom and caregiver Jessica Ronne, who shares about life with her son Lucas. After finding out her yet-to-be born son had a stroke in utero, Jessica faced the reality of caring for a child with profound disabilities. On top of this, her husband would be diagnosed with brain cancer, and ultimately would pass away. Alone with four children to raise, Jessica recounts her survival story, and how her understanding of the needs of caretakers and those they care for led her to start her nonprofit, The Lucas Project.  Guest’s Links Jessica Ronne’s Facebook: @jessronneofficial Jessica Ronne’s Instagram: @jessplusthemess    Watch this interview on our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/447S4CS  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website TikTok   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.* This week, we hear from Niki Hardy—a writer, speaker, and coach who brings honesty and hope to life’s most difficult moments. Niki has weathered seasons of cancer, grief, burnout, and questions of faith. After transitioning from a corporate career into nonprofit and ministry work, she came to believe that life doesn’t have to be pain-free to be full.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Danette Crawford, founder of Joy Ministries. Danette shares her journey through heartbreak, single motherhood, and the challenges of starting over. She reflects on how joy is more than a feeling—it’s a deep-rooted strength—and encourages listeners to embrace service to others as a path to a more fulfilling life.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Father James Martin Upcoming interview: Erin Leigh Nelson Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV   Niki Hardy Matthew 11:28 NIV www.nikihardy.com God, Can We Chat?   Danette Crawford Joy with Danette Crawford Proverbs 3:5 and 6 NIV www.joyministriesonline.org The Power of Joy for Women: A 365-Day Devotional   Interview Quotes: “I’ve left corporate life, been to seminary, moved continents, planted churches, started businesses and nonprofits, and even navigated loss, cancer, church hurt, and painful uncertainty. And through all that, I’ve come to believe God loves a cheerful doubter.” - Niki Hardy  “It’s possible to experience the full, abundant life right in the midst of all we’re enduring and to thrive, not just survive. Life doesn’t have to be pain-free to be full.” - Niki Hardy   “If I chat with God, I might not find the answers that I’m looking for, but I will find the relationship and the intimacy that I am really after.” - Niki Hardy   “When we are going through times when either life isn’t going as we hoped or expected and it’s just annoying and frustrating or when it’s deeply painful and life-altering, it’s in that place of walking and talking and chatting with God that we find peace in our hard moments.” - Niki Hardy “We love that God is knowable, but we also have to reconcile and live in the mystery that He’s also unknowable.” - Niki Hardy  “I had to make the choice to forgive. I had to make the choice to go forward. I had to get up out of my mess.” - Niki Hardy “We need to realize that when things change—because things will change fast—we can hang on to the truth of God’s Word. And we can hang on to our deep-rooted faith and trust.” - Danette Crawford  “It’s when we go through situations and circumstances that really shake us and test our faith and test our joy that we are faced with a decision. And I made a decision that I was going to get my happy back.” - Danette Crawford  “When you are determined to get your eyes off of yourself and go minister to others, trust me, joy will spring up in you. Focus forward, and go be a blessing to somebody else.” - Danette Crawford  ________________________ 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.

This week, we’ll hear from author, certified health coach, and former QVC host Kerstin Lindquist. With a background in journalism and more than a decade in broadcast sales, Kerstin has reached millions through her work in health, wellness, and personal growth. Her journey—marked by infertility, loss, caregiving, and career pivots—inspired her to study the roots of stress and its impact on the body.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from writer, wife, and mother Kara Stout. Having faced significant personal challenges, including the loss of both her parents and a difficult journey through infertility before adopting her daughter, Kara has learned the importance of simplifying life, setting boundaries, and finding peace amid a fast-paced, often overwhelming, culture. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Roma Downey Upcoming interview: Niki Hardy   Kerstin Lindquist Dementia IVF [In Vitro Fertilization] www.kerstin-lindquist.com   Kara Stout www.karastout.com An Untroubled Heart: Calming Anxiety and Finding God’s Peace Interview Quotes: “As long as I had [God] in front of me leading the path, I was able to make the next step. But I will tell you that fear, every step of the way, has been a constant companion.” - Kerstin Lindquist  “If you remain in the present and next to [God], you can calm the fear. But as long as you’re remaining future-focused—what’s gonna be next, how am I gonna provide for my family, how am I gonna get over this health hurdle—then there will be fear.” - Kerstin Lindquist  “I stand on stages and talk to thousands of people at a time about how to reduce stress and get closer to the Lord, hear the Lord, and combat fear. But it is a practice.” - Kerstin Lindquist  “One of the big, huge ingredients to people having stress is not living out their purpose. Our purpose is always connected to the Lord and serving others. And you know without a doubt that you’re in your purpose if you feel the Lord’s presence, participation, and peace.” - Kerstin Lindquist  “There really isn’t any way for us to completely rid stress from our life. But the beauty of our bodies—even if we go back and look biblically—it really does give us kind of the rule book on how to deal with things, which is why we talk about God resting. Even in the midst of stress—like at the bottom of a boat in a storm—He was still resting.” - Kerstin Lindquist “I ask myself the same questions [during my devotional time]: How are you feeling? How do I need to humble myself before the Lord? What am I grateful for? What am I praying for? What am I excited about today? What am I stressed out about today? How am I going to react to that stress? What do I have to hand over to the Lord? Who am I gonna serve today?” - Kerstin Lindquist “It was extremely difficult to have to endure the loss of both parents, but at the same time, I saw how real God was in that suffering, in that grief, and it was a gift to be able to draw near to God in that deep suffering.” - Kara Stout  “Something that I felt God encouraged me to do in the early days of becoming a mother, that I continue to remind myself of today, is to recognize when I’m striving and then to simplify.” - Kara Stout “Sometimes people can become accustomed to anxiety or worry, but God gives us a different way to live—a life lived safe in His peace, despite trials and circumstances.” - Kara Stout “God does not leave us on our own to deal with life’s worries and hardships. He’s a God of compassion, and He’s there for us, always, to help us. It’s just His love that really gives us so much peace in those moments.” - Kara Stout “Though there are multiple ways our hearts can feel troubled at times, God is our ever-present, always available remedy for the troubles of our hearts.” - Kara Stout  ________________________ 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.

*This episode mentions suicide and depression and may not be suitable for all listeners. This week, we sit down with podcaster Lola Sheen, daughter of actors Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards. Lola bravely shares her story, detailing the unique challenges of growing up under public scrutiny and its impact on her mental health. She opens up about a pivotal turning point in her life—discovering her faith and the profound difference it has made. Now, Lola is channeling her experiences into her own podcast and online platforms, passionately dedicated to supporting others who may be walking a similar path.  Later in the episode, pastor, author, and founder of Fresh Life Church, Levi Lusko, returns to the show to speak about how he hit a wall in midlife, reevaluating his identity, and learning to live within the limits of time. Levi also shares practical tools that helped him move forward—and invites us to consider the hidden gifts that can come from life’s hardest seasons.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Angela Braniff Upcoming interview: Kerstin Lindquist   Lola Sheen Charlie Sheen  Denise Richards TikTok  Ally Yost HeavenlyBonded   Levi Lusko Fresh Life Church James 1:2-3 NIV Matthew 13:44 NIV Richard Rohr Proverbs 20:29 NIV www.levilusko.com Blessed Are the Spiraling   Interview Quotes: “I just didn’t know my purpose. I didn’t [know] my worth. I believed all these other things that everybody would say about me. I never had someone be like, ‘No, this is the truth. This is who you are.’” - Lola Sheen “I didn’t see Him, but I felt Him. It felt like Jesus came and took my hand, and I can’t even explain it—my room just had this overwhelming sense of peace and safety and I knew I was going to be okay.” - Lola Sheen   “I felt such a calling on my life to minister to people who have experienced depression and anxiety and to help them and show them that you are never too far gone for Jesus.” - Lola Sheen   “I just want to show that His heart is like a father. He wants to be there for you, help you and to show you what real love looks like.” - Lola Sheen   “I would say the habit that has kept me focused on the more positive things is spending so much time alone with God and letting Him fill my mind before anybody else does. When things get hard, I just have to look up and remember that I serve an audience of One.” - Lola Sheen “The last two years, I look back on it as a really important time—a milestone that I smile when I think about—because joy came from digging once again in the field for fresh treasure, which is what Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is like.” - Levi Lusko  “It’s really important for us to remember that we are in an upside-down kingdom. So everything is inverted. Want to find your life? Lose it. Want to keep your life? It is not going to be yours anymore. You want to be great? Serve.” - Levi Lusko “That kind of became a rally cry for me, going all in for fresh treasure, because there’s no end to the treasure of knowing Jesus.” - Levi Lusko  “If you feel like you’ve hit a wall, it might mean you’ve just gone as far as you can go with the tools you currently possess and the season of life that you’re in. That’s okay to mourn the ending of whatever it is that is making you feel bad. We tend to belittle our grief if it’s not worthy of making us sad.” - Levi Lusko “Maybe I’m feeling so much despair because I’m trying to make permanent what was meant to be a season.” - Levi Lusko “After you’ve mourned what’s behind you, let God build up excitement for what’s in front of you, because with Jesus, the best really is always yet to come.” - Levi Lusko  ________________________ 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.

This week, as we celebrate the spirit of independence, we’re spotlighting a uniquely American story. Jared Orton, president of the Savannah Bananas baseball team, joins us to reflect on a journey that started with just a few season tickets, no logo, and a wild idea. From humble beginnings in a historic Savannah stadium to becoming a national sensation, it’s a story about bringing people together, breaking the mold, and accomplishing it all with a deeper meaning. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from marine biologist Rachel G. Jordan. From her inland roots in Idaho to coral reefs around the world, Rachel has followed a lifelong passion for ocean life, earning degrees in ecology and marine biology, and studying biblical theology along the way. Through science and story, Rachel explores the powerful intersections between nature, faith, and the presence of God—even in the deep.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Holly Hayes Upcoming interview: Lola Sheen Jesus Calling commemorative edition   Jared Orton www.TheSavannahBananas.com sports entertainment Gastonia Grizzlies Andy Stanley www.jaredorton.com   Rachel G. Jordan National Park Service  Dry Tortugas National Park tide pooling If the Ocean Has a Soul Interview Quotes: “We always say whether you like baseball or you don’t, we felt like we had an entertainment proposition for you—whether you’re two years old or ninety-two years old or a mom or a dad or a sister or a brother or a grandma or grandpa—it doesn’t matter who you are. This thing is fun to the max, and that’s been our mission from day one—to make baseball fun.” - Jared Orton  “We were created on purpose, by purpose, for purpose, and to do anything less than our best would not be glorifying God and the reason that we were created and placed on this earth.” - Jared Orton “We’re in the human business, and we’ve got to hold that very humbly in our hands because that is a privilege and a huge responsibility that this thing has been entrusted to us to do something incredibly powerful in the world.” - Jared Orton   “We’re going to treat every game like it’s someone’s first game, and we’re gonna make it important for them. That’s been our guiding light and guiding principle—we’re going to treat this like someone’s first game.” - Jared Orton  “People are legitimately looking for things to celebrate and do with people. And they come to our games and they dance, they laugh, they cry, they cheer and they hug each other. We treat every game like it's someone's first game and we're gonna make it important for them.” - Jared Orton “It blew my mind that these [corals] were not rocks or plants but animals—animals that built these cities underwater that attracted all sorts of other creatures to live there and supported so much of our planet.” - Rachel G. Jordan  “God never leaves or forsakes us. He promises that when we go through hard things, when we walk through the rivers, when we walk through deep waters, He’ll be with us.”- Rachel G. Jordan  “Where are the places I can meet God where I currently am—whether that’s looking out a window or reading a novel or admiring the creation and the nature that is expressed there?” - Rachel G. Jordan  “There are times that I look up from what I’m doing and I'll feel or literally be alone. I might be the only person in this ocean right now, but God never leaves or forsakes me.” - Rachel G. Jordan “I’m a firm believer that God speaks to each of us in the way that we will best understand. A lot of learning to be in a relationship with God is finding those meeting places–sort of the holy ground where you can best experience His presence, most clearly hear His voice, and engage in life together.” - Rachel G. Jordan ________________________ 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.

*This episode contains mature content. This week, we’ll hear from war correspondent Benjamin Hall, who has spent much of his career reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. In 2022, while covering the war in Ukraine, he was gravely injured in an attack that killed two of his colleagues. Today, he shares how that harrowing experience challenged his limits and instilled in him the unshakeable belief that we all have the strength to overcome—no matter what we face. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from author and life coach Chris Janssen as she shares her firsthand experience with alcoholism and the path to recovery. Now, through her journey of sobriety, Chris uses the lessons learned from her lowest moments to help others rise to new heights.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Natalie Grant Upcoming interview: Jared Orton Jesus Calling commemorative edition   Benjamin Hall Japanese prison camp War in Ukraine Kyiv Ukrainian Special Forces Fox News  Save Our Allies Brooke Army Medical Center Psalm 23 NIV Resolute: How We Humans Keep Finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds   Chris Janssen  www.chrisjanssencoaching.com Grace Yourself: How to Show Up for the Sober Life You Want   Interview Quotes: “I learned how much your mind can influence how you are feeling and how you can find another level of strength when you have to.” - Benjamin Hall  “I do think that I must now live for those who died [in the car bombing I survived in Ukraine], and that I must challenge what I do for them. I make it drive me to be better, make it drive me to go into things that I think would inspire them and make them happy.” - Benjamin Hall “You mustn’t let fear disable you. You’ve got to address it, but also not run from it. I think that the worst thing you can do is hide from them, run from them, pretend they didn’t happen.” - Benjamin Hall  “We are survival machines—humans. If you can channel your feelings, if you can talk to God, if you can find the strength you need, you can get through absolutely anything.” - Benjamin Hall  “Everyone has resilience. I suppose what’s difficult is learning how to really use it. I always managed to find the beauty in every day while acknowledging loss. I think that’s something that is so important for people to learn—how to balance those two things in your life and not let the loss overwhelm you, but how to let the positive really guide you.” - Benjamin Hall “I just think anybody, regardless of how you grew up, can get caught in the snare of addiction.” - Chris Janssen “When the shame and guilt flew off my shoulders, my belief changed from I’m a monster to I’m deserving of recovery and community and sobriety because I’m addicted to alcohol.” - Chris Janssen “To me, physical wellness leads to emotional wellness.” - Chris Janssen  “The way I describe sobriety is more than abstinence—it’s a lifestyle, not an event. I don’t believe I’m giving something up by sobriety, I’m gaining something. And what’s gained is my life, my memories, my presence with people, my ability to have fun.” - Chris Janssen “I felt like everything I did, I had to earn it, and that’s the opposite of grace. When we live in a mindset of control, we’re unable to accept grace. We’re taking control of our own worthiness, and we don’t get to do that. God has said we’re worthy and valuable no matter what.” - Chris Janssen ________________________ 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.