Dee Dee Jones and Peggy Padilla Burns from Alongside Ministries join us to share the heart behind their organization. In this episode, we explore their mission, who they serve, and the impactful programs they offer for mentees seeking support and guidance. Dee Dee and Peggy also give us a preview of their upcoming fundraiser on September 19th at New Covenant Church—a meaningful event that supports their continued work in the community.

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In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Ramsey, Associate Director of Health Coverage and Benefits at the National Council on Aging, to shed light on the major financial challenges facing older adults today. Ryan highlights a common misconception: Medicare isn’t free. Many seniors struggle with the rising costs of premiums, copays, and deductibles, placing significant strain on their limited incomes.

He also discusses the wide range of public benefits available to help, from food assistance to help with medical costs — and the frustrating barriers that keep older adults from accessing them. Despite being eligible, millions of seniors are missing out on an estimated $30 billion in benefits each year. Ryan emphasizes the urgent need to raise awareness and simplify access to these vital programs, a message at the heart of the National Council on Aging’s current public service campaign.

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Jodi Hendricks from the New Mexico Family Action Movement joins us to talk about a new initiative called My Kid, My Choice. This initiative is focused on protecting parental rights and ensuring that families—not government agencies—have the primary say in their children’s upbringing, education, and medical care. Jodi shares how My Kid, My Choice aims to empower parents and safeguard their role in shaping the values and future of the next generation.

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Donald Clinger and James Foust, Southwest Area Vice President, join us from The Gideons International to share how their mission goes far beyond placing Bibles in hotels. The Gideons are an evangelical association dedicated to equipping and mobilizing Christian business and professional men—and their wives—to share God’s Word and spread the message of Jesus Christ around the world. They discuss their global outreach efforts and the lasting impact of personal evangelism through Scripture distribution.

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Marcy Patton joins ABQ Connect to share details about upcoming Respite Dates with Joni and Friends, highlighting how these special events provide much-needed breaks for families and meaningful service opportunities for volunteers. The conversation also previews the exciting Family Fiesta Barn Dance on October 18th—a lively, family-friendly event full of fun, connection, and celebration.

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Matthew Ellison and Denny Spitters join us from 16:15 to discuss The Sending Shepherd, a new book written by Matthew and Denny; and how the purpose and timing of the book are relative to missions – which is the heart of 16:15. We also dive deeper into missions and break down the metrics of how they are being executed today.

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These are just a few of the questions Registered Dietitian, Jennifer Bryant, RD, LD, CDES, answers for us in this episode of ABQ Connect. The Nourished Nutrition Counseling website, located at https://nourishednutritioncounseling.com/, offers free resources, including healthy and delicious recipes, as well as Jennifer’s newsletter, “Food and Faith to Fuel Your Health!”

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Jeff Johnson, Focus on the Family‘s Culture and Policy Analyst joins us to discuss concerns about attacks on churches across the nation, which clocked in at over 400 in 2024. These attacks serving as a significant threat to religious freedom in the U.S., underlining the need for stronger protection for houses of worship. The discussion underscores the role of governmental bodies and civic institutions in upholding First Amendment rights, prosecuting offenses against religious communities, and fostering a culture that respects spiritual institutions and values.

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Brian Cochran, President of John Moore Associates dives in to help listeners decipher the often-confusing headlines about interest rates. With media coverage frequently speculating on Federal Reserve moves and economic indicators, Brian breaks down what’s really driving interest rate decisions and how these shifts impact everyday Americans—especially investors, homeowners, and small business owners. He offers practical insight into how to respond to rising or falling rates and encourages a long-term, principles-based approach to financial planning amid economic noise.

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Genevieve Wood with Focus on the Family and the Daily Signal, reflects on how James Dobson—a towering figure in the Christian conservative movement—shaped not just her worldview, but her personal journey. While many millennials recount painful memories of “purity culture” and institutions like Focus on the Family, Wood shares a different perspective. She credits Dobson’s enduring message of traditional family values with helping her pursue what she describes as the “success sequence”: finishing school, entering the workforce, marrying before having children—a formula she believes fostered both stability and fulfillment. Additionally, Wood takes aim at critics like the Southern Poverty Law Center, who’ve labeled institutions Dobson founded (e.g., the Family Research Council, Alliance Defending Freedom) as “hate groups.” She sees this as an intolerant overreach that undermines the positive influence these entities had on her life and many others.

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