The Thriving Family

<p>Focus on the Family has offices in countries all across the globe. When we get together, it’s truly like a family reunion.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. For today’s episode, host Jean-Paul Beran got to sit down with friend and colleague Graeme Schnell, CEO of Focus on the Family Africa. Our respective ministry offices may be on opposite sides of the globe, but we share a heart for families. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.safamily.co.za/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Focus on the Family Africa</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a> </p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved</p>

<p>Navigating today’s political landscape can feel overwhelming, but we don’t need to lose hope in our pursuit of a better country.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. In our highly polarized and divided world, we feel immense pressure to encamp ourselves on one side and with one tribe. This is leading many to claim political homelessness. While that may cause despair for some, as Christians, we can actually find encouragement in this position. In today’s faith-filled episode, you’ll understand why being politically homeless reminds us to seek the good of the city we’re living in while keeping our eyes and hearts on God’s Kingdom.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/political-homelessness-charting-a-path-to-a-better-country" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Article: Political homelessness: Charting a path to a better country</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/e-newsletter?utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Focus on Faith and Culture e-newsletter</a></p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a></p><p><br></p><p>Sources from today's episode:</p><p><br></p><p>Amy Julia Becker, “For those of us who feel politically homeless,” author’s blog, February 15, 2022.</p><p>Chelsea Langston Bombino and Katie Thompson, “Hope for the politically homeless,” The Banner, September 14, 2020.</p><p>Olivia Elder, “Sincerely, a politically homeless Christian,” Gordon Review, May 10, 2022.</p><p>Matt Forde, Politically Homeless, Quercus Publishing, 2022.</p><p>David French, “The spiritual blessing of political homelessness,” The Dispatch, October 18, 2020.</p><p>John Ivison, “Do we need a new party for the politically ‘homeless’?” National Post, February 11, 2022.</p><p>Leah MarieAnn Klett, “Scott Sauls on embodying Christ’s gentleness in culture; why Christians should feel politically ‘homeless’,” Christian Post, September 17, 2020.</p><p>Aaron Schafer, The Politically Homeless Christian: How to Conquer Political Idolatry, Reject Polarization, and Recommit to God’s Greatest Two Commandments, Foundation Publishing House, 2020.</p><p>Sarah Styf, “The politically homeless Christian,” Red Letter Christians, February 4, 2020.</p><p>Tish Harrison Warren, “Black, Christian and transcending the political binary,” New York Times, October 28, 2022.</p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2023 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>Video games often get a bad reputation as isolating and a waste of time. But what if we looked at how gaming can build deep, meaningful connection and discipleship between youth and mentors?</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. For today’s episode, you’re in for a fascinating conversation with Jamie and Jessica Harris, founders of the ministry Satellite Gaming. Satellite Gaming points students to Jesus Christ by building relationships through video games. Jamie is so passionate about video games, but this passion is eclipsed by his heart for youth and teens, and reaching this often overlooked demographic through discipleship. Join us for an in-depth conversation about faith, family, parenting, and the bright side of video games.</p><p><br></p><p>Note: This episode does not constitute an endorsement of aforementioned video games, television shows, or movies by Focus on the Family Canada. Check out reviews at Plugged In to help you determine what is appropriate for you or your family.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://satellitegaming.net/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Satellite Gaming</a> </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.pluggedin.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Plugged In</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada.</p><p>Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a> </p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>In an increasingly divisive world, the most radical thing we can do is seeing our fellow humans as made in the image of God.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. For today’s episode, we’ll dive deep into a phrase that may be familiar to you: “made in the image of God.” But what does this actually mean? And how does this impact how we view the world and live our lives?</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/e-newsletter?utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Focus on Faith and Culture e-newsletter</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a> </p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2018 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>Strong leaders help guide effective teams, but even the strongest, most impactful leaders need to be led.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. For today’s episode, you’ll hear from Tim Schindel, who took the time to sit down for an inspiring conversation. He loves to cast vision, build teams, set goals, and reach them while having a lot of fun along the way. Seeing the need and an opportunity to serve, Tim founded Leading Influence in 2006 to fulfill the vision of providing excellence in pastoral care to politicians across Canada. Join us for an exciting, faith-filled conversation.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://leadinginfluence.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Leading Influence</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a> </p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>Followers of Christ are widely familiar with the 12 disciples in the Bible, but another group made a significant impact worthy of the spotlight: the women in the book of Acts.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. For today’s episode, we’re going to look at a few stories of prominent women in Scripture, specifically in the book of Acts. These women are not the stuff of Sunday School picture books. They’re real, they’re diverse, and more than anything, they help us understand God’s plan for his church.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/recovering-the-stories-of-silenced-women-in-ancient-literature" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Article: Recovering the stories of silenced women in ancient literature</a> </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/e-newsletter?utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Focus on Faith and Culture e-newsletter</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a> </p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.</p><p><br></p><p>Sources from today's episode:</p><p>Darrell L. Bock, Acts, (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), Baker Academic, 2007.</p><p>F.F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts, (New International Commentary on the New Testament), Eerdmans, 1988.</p><p>R. Kent Hughes, Acts: The Church Afire, (Preaching the Word), Crossway, 2014.</p><p>I. Howard Marshall, Acts, (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries), IVP Academic, 1980.</p><p>Ben Witherington III, The Acts of the Apostles, (Socio-Rhetorical Commentary), Eerdmans, 1997.</p>

<p>In a world that says marriage and monogamy are outdated, these words are radically countercultural: “I do.”</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. Today, you’re in for an inspiring conversation with Andrea Mzorek and Peter Jon Mitchell from Cardus, where they discuss the research that shows why marriage still matters. Cardus is a non-partisan think tank dedicated to clarifying and strengthening, through research and dialogue, the ways in which society’s institutions can work together for the common good. Andrea has worked in journalism and think tanks in Europe and Canada. She writes and speaks about marriage, childcare, and women's issues. Prior to joining Cardus, she was executive director of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada. Peter Jon is program director of Cardus Family. He has been researching and writing about Canadian families and public policy for nearly two decades. Join us as Andrea and Peter Jon talk about their fascinating new book I Do: Why Marriage Still Matters.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.cardus.ca/research-library/family/i-do-why-marriage-still-matters/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">I…Do? Why Marriage Still Matters</a> </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.cardus.ca/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cardus</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a> </p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.</p>

<p>Society’s most vulnerable can hold on to this hope: they are loved, valued, and known by our Heavenly Father.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. For today’s episode, we’ll take a deep dive into God’s care for the vulnerable. Why does our Heavenly Father care so deeply about orphans, widows, and outsiders? The simple answer is that it reflects his own loving and just character. As you’ll hear, there’s more to it than that.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/e-newsletter?utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Focus on Faith and Culture e-newsletter</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a> </p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2024 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>Any conversation is a chance to share from the heart, and what a joy it was to do this with Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. Today’s episode features a special guest and friend of our ministry: Jim Daly. Jim is a husband, father, author and broadcaster. He is the president of Focus on the Family in the U.S. and host of its beloved audio program which is heard by more than 5.6 million listeners a week and has been honored as Program of the Year by the National Religious Broadcasters. Jim and his wife, Jean, have two sons and live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.</p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://focusonthefamily.ca/listen/focus-on-the-family-show" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Focus on the Family With Jim Daly</a></p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>What does it take to pastor a church in an unchurched metropolis? Passion, conviction, love, and most importantly, the right kind of support system.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. Today’s episode features Jason Ballard. Jason is a pastor at The Way Church in Vancouver, BC. He also serves as the Executive Director of The Pastorate and hosts The Pastorate podcast, engaging in conversations that strengthen the hearts of pastors and tell the story of the church in Canada. When he is not serving his church and working to inspire and equip pastors, you can find him at home with his wife, Rachael, and three kids.</p><p><br></p><p>Today’s interview is facilitated by Len DenBraber, chief operating officer at Focus on the Family Canada.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://kerithretreats.ca/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Kerith Ministry Leader Retreats</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a> </p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.</p>

<p>Diversity in the arts may draw criticism from some, but for followers of the ultimate Creator, diversity is a celebration of God’s beautifully complex creation.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. Today’s episode looks at the beauty of diversity in the arts. Since we have a creative God who values variety in his own creation, we should likewise find joy in cultural works that express multiple experiences and points of view. Unfortunately, there is some division around this topic, but when approached with the Gospel in our hearts and minds, we can see the value of diversity in the arts, as God intended.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/imago-dei-and-diversity-in-arts-and-entertainment" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Article: Imago Dei and diversity in arts and entertainment</a> </p><p><br></p><p>.<a href="https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/e-newsletter?utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Focus on Faith and Culture e-newsletter</a></p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving&utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a> </p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2024 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.</p>

<p>Gen Alpha is growing up in an age of artificial intelligence, but this generation already is reigniting a passion for spiritual truth. Today, we bring you the research that shows how, and why.</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. For today’s episode, it’s our pleasure to introduce Pamela Aramburu. Pamela serves as the Associate National Director at Alpha Canada. Her career reflects a strong focus on leadership in faith-based communications and technical operations. Pamela shares from her heart as a mother, a wife, a professional, and an advocate for empowering the next generation to discover the truth of God’s word in a world of AI and noise.</p><p><br></p><p>Today’s interview is facilitated by Len DenBraber, chief operating officer at Focus on the Family Canada. I hope you are inspired by this conversation with Pamela.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://alphacanada.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Alpha Canada</a> - <a href="https://alphacanada.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://alphacanada.org</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/raising-your-kids-to-defend-their-faith?utm_campaign=thriving_family_s4&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=focusonthefamily.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Raising Your Kids to Defend Their Faith</a> video series - <a href="http://info.focusonthefamily.ca/raising-your-kids-to-defend-their-faith" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">info.focusonthefamily.ca/raising-your-kids-to-defend-their-faith</a></p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="http://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a></p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.</p>

<p>Welcome back to The Thriving Family, a podcast from Focus on the Family Canada. Whether you’re new to the show or have followed our Christian content since the beginning, we are so glad you’re here. Our first collection of faith-based episodes explored communication and conflict in relationships. Then, we looked at how our Heavenly Father heals our scars. In our last set of conversations, we talked about God’s full life for you. Since The Thriving Family is the place where family, faith, and culture intersect, these latest episodes explore this very intersection of faith and culture. Thank you for tuning in to this faith-based podcast, designed to encourage you with support for marriage, parenting, mental health, and more.</p><p><br></p><p>.<a href="http://Info.focusonthefamily.ca/e-newsletter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Focus on Faith and Culture e-newsletter</a></p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time phone consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada. Give our team a call at 1.800.661.9800 to book a consult.</p><p><br></p><p>.<a href="http://donation.focusonthefamily.ca/page/donate/thriving-family-pod?leadsource=PodcastGiving&leadsource=PodcastGiving" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a></p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.</p>

<p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.</p><p><br></p><p>Today’s episode is a powerful testimonial of healing through rest and boundaries. When Dave went to Kerith Ministry Leaders Retreats with his wife, Staci, he thought everything was fine. As a rural pastor and father of five, he knew he was tired but believed he just needed a breather. Once at the retreat centre, though, Dave realized how truly exhausted he was. The name “Kerith” comes from First Kings 17 when the Lord sent Elijah to the Kerith Ravine after he made a prophetic declaration to the kingdom of Ahab. God knew Elijah’s calling would consume his energy and leave him weary, so he provided him times of rest, solitude, and renewal. Like its biblical namesake, Focus on the Family Canada's Kerith Retreats values this stillness and provides care to those who are weary. These retreats are offered at our Canadian retreat centres in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.</p><p>Now, let’s hear from Dave.</p><p><br></p><p>Episode notes:</p><p><br></p><p>Kerith Retreats Ministry Retreats</p><p><a href="http://www.kerithretreats.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.kerithretreats.ca</a></p><p><br></p><p>Stress and Burnout digital booklet</p><p>https://info.<a href="http://focusonthefamily.ca/stress" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">focusonthefamily.ca/stress</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>.<a href="http://focusonthefamily.ca/work-life-balance-free-pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Work-Life Balance digital booklet</a></p><p><br></p><p>Understanding Healthy Boundaries digital booklet</p><p>https://info.<a href="http://focusonthefamily.ca/understanding-healthy-boundaries-pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">focusonthefamily.ca/understanding-healthy-boundaries-pdf</a></p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.</p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2023 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.</p>

<p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.</p><p><br></p><p>Today it’s my great pleasure to introduce Dave Phillips. Dave is an experienced executive mentor and speaker for high performance CEOs and business leaders across North America. His work covers topics ranging from the boardroom to the bedroom in some of the most challenging and even troubling areas of the leader’s life. Dave not only supports CEOs and business leaders, but also their teams to make a greater impact and provide long-term solutions. Those may sound like lofty topics, but in this conversation, Dave shares freely from our hearts about matters of character, integrity, humility, and purpose.</p><p><br></p><p>Episode notes:</p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.</p><p><br></p><p>Support the podcast</p><p>https://<a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving</a></p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.</p><p><br></p><p>For today’s episode, we’re talking about emotional intelligence. God created us with the capacity to feel emotions, but as humans living in a broken world, navigating these emotions can be a challenge. The benefits of becoming emotionally intelligent go beyond your own mental and emotional health – this skill will also make all the difference in your marriage.</p><p><br></p><p>Episode notes:</p><p><br></p><p>Journey to Us marriage conferences and retreats</p><p><a href="https://journeytous.ca" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://journeytous.ca/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Navigating Conflict in Marriage digital booklet</p><p>https://info.<a href="http://focusonthefamily.ca/navigating-conflict-in-marriage" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">focusonthefamily.ca/navigating-conflict-in-marriage</a></p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.</p><p><br></p><p>Support the podcast: https://<a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving</a></p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2020 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.</p><p><br></p><p>Today’s episode features a truly hope-filled message. Christin Rosa graduated with a bachelor of education degree from the University of Alberta and has taught everything from English at a university in China to kindergarten to employability skills training for immigrant women. In 2013 she gave birth to her son Thomas and stayed home with her kids until returning to work in 2024. It was her prenatal diagnosis in 2016 while pregnant with boy and girl twins that changed everything. It lit a fire in her to do something, anything, to shed light on the injustice of abortion. Today Christin is the author of Saving Nate: Choosing Life After a Devastating Prenatal Diagnosis, and is a prayer leader and devotional writer for a 24-7 prayer room for life in Canada. She loves to spend time in God’s presence meditating on his Word and to share his soul-reviving truth with others through her writing and Bible study leadership. Her website is <a href="http://christinrosa.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ChristinRosa.com.</a> Her book, Saving Nate, was published by Focus on the Family, and it was such an honour to sit down and hear more of Christin’s story.</p><p>Today’s interview is facilitated by Len DenBraber, chief operating office at Focus on the Family Canada.</p><p><br></p><p>This episode includes personal reflections on pregnancy loss and abortion. Listener discretion advised. This podcast is one family’s story and therefore cannot reflect the various experiences of all families. Many parents in similar situations have not experienced miraculous healing where there was a prenatal diagnosis, despite their prayers and trust in God. If a child did not survive before or after childbirth, or they were born with a disability, there is long-term challenge, pain, and grief. While we cannot understand why this happens, we do know God is near to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18) and comforts those who mourn (Matthew 5:4). If a woman has chosen abortion, there can also be immense pain, grief, and shame. God in his great mercy offers love, forgiveness, and hope (1 John 1:9).</p><p><br></p><p>Episode notes:</p><p><br></p><p>Saving Nate: Choosing Life after a Devastating Prenatal Diagnosis</p><p>https://shop.<a href="http://focusonthefamily.ca/Saving-Nate" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">focusonthefamily.ca/Saving-Nate</a></p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.</p><p><br></p><p>Support the podcast: https://<a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving</a></p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.</p><p><br></p><p>In today’s episode, we have the joy of introducing Arlene Pellicane. Arlene is a speaker, host of the Happy Home podcast, and author of several books including Parents Rising, Making Marriage Easier and Screen Kids. Arlene has been featured on the Today Show, Fox & Friends, the Wall Street Journal, FamilyLife Today, and Focus on the Family and is the spokesperson for National Marriage Week. Arlene and her husband, James, have three children and live in San Diego. They have raised their kids without social media, video games, and smartphones and inspire others to scroll less and live more. To learn more, visit her website at <a href="http://arlenepellicane.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ArlenePellicane.com.</a> This was dynamic conversation about parenting, navigating screen time, and what it was like collaborating with Gary Chapman!</p><p><br></p><p>Episode notes:</p><p><br></p><p>Happy Home Podcast</p><p><a href="https://arlenepellicane.com/podcasts" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://arlenepellicane.com/podcasts</a></p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.</p><p><br></p><p>Support the podcast: https://<a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving</a></p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.</p><p><br></p><p>For today’s episode, we’re talking about how to help boost your child’s academic potential. We recognize that every child learns differently, and many children require tailored support to thrive in the classroom. But regardless of where and how they learn, a child’s parents will always be their biggest academic supporter. Here are some ways to increase your child’s learning potential!</p><p><br></p><p>Episode notes:</p><p><br></p><p>The Potential of Children video series</p><p>https://info.<a href="http://focusonthefamily.ca/potential-of-children" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">focusonthefamily.ca/potential-of-children</a></p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.</p><p><br></p><p>Support the podcast: https://<a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving</a></p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2020 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>

<p>Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.</p><p><br></p><p>For today’s episode, you’ll hear from Matt Menzel. Matt is the lead pastor of Centre Church in downtown Vancouver. He and his wife, Melissa, are completely caught up in a vision for the renewal of Jesus’ church in their city. Matt’s greatest joy is to experience the presence of Jesus in daily life and to see Christ do the things that only he can do. Matt truly is making this happen, and you’ll understand how when you hear this beautiful and inspiring conversation.</p><p><br></p><p>Episode notes:</p><p><br></p><p>Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.</p><p><br></p><p>Support the podcast</p><p>https://<a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving</a></p><p><br></p><p>&#xA9; 2026 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. </p>