“I am here for a purpose, and I am here 'on purpose'.”

For Dr. Ben Schilaty, that truth became the anchor that carried him through faith, heartbreak, identity, and learning how to live openly as both a gay man and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints.

Dr. Ben Schilaty’s story begins before he was even born.

During his mother’s pregnancy, doctors warned that something was seriously wrong and urged her to end the pregnancy. But through all the fear and uncertainty, she felt clearly impressed that his name was Benjamin Schilaty — and that this child was meant to come to earth.

He was born healthy.

And hearing that story his whole life gave Ben a deep-rooted belief that would later shape everything:

He came to earth exactly as he was supposed to.

Raised in a loving Latter-day Saint home by devoted convert parents, Ben always knew he was deeply loved. By age 12, he knew he was attracted to boys, and for years he wrestled with what that meant inside the context of his faith.

Like many, he hoped a mission would “fix” him.

It didn’t.

He dated more than 100 women trying to force a path that didn’t fit, stayed in the closet for years, and quietly carried the weight of believing his life might already be over.

But God had another plan.

A simple walk with his two best friends became the hand-of-God moment that changed his life. Their love, support, and compassion gave him the courage to finally come out and begin healing.

That path was not easy.

There was confusion, heartbreak, and the painful ending of a relationship with someone he deeply loved when their faith paths moved in different directions.

But in the middle of that heartbreak, Ben received a spiritual prompting that he was meant to 'build a life within the gospel'.

That impression brought him profound peace and joy.

Today, Ben lives openly and authentically as both a gay man and a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a professor, therapist, author of A Walk in My Shoes, Questions I Am Often Asked as a Gay Latter-day Saint, and cohost of "All Out in the Open" with Charlie Bird, he helps LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and their families find hope, language, and belonging.

His message is powerful: When we look for the hand of God in our lives, we remember that we are loved, valued, and never alone.

God is involved.
God is kind.
And every one of us has worth.

Look for his book "A Walk in My Shoes" available on Amazon or Deseret Books.
Charlie Bird's books "Without the Mask" and "Expanding the Borders of Zion" also available.

If you or someone you love has ever wrestled with faith, identity, and belonging, this conversation offers so much compassion and hope.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now.
📺 Watch the full interview on YouTube.
💬 Comment below: What helps you remember that your life has purpose?

#DrBenSchilaty
#FaithAndIdentity
#LGBTQLDS
#LatterDaySaint
#GodLovesYou
#PurposeAndWorth
#AllOutInTheOpen
#HealingJourney
#RecognizeHisHand
#ChristianPodcast

What happens when the secret you hoped to take to the grave becomes the very thing God uses to heal your marriage?

Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith’s story is raw, redemptive, and deeply hopeful.

Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith are relationship specialists, authors, speakers, and guides for couples walking through betrayal and healing.

But their passion for helping others didn’t come from theory alone — it came from surviving their own breaking point.

At first, their love story felt like a hand-of-God moment.

A pastor and the sister of a friend who didn’t even like each other at first… until shared faith, deep conversations, and undeniable connection brought them together. After only a few dates, they knew they were meant to be, got married, and headed to seminary together.

But beneath the surface, Matthew was carrying a secret struggle that started long before Joanna.

Exposure to pornography at a young age, no healthy conversations around sexuality, and years of shame created a pattern he used to cope with stress, fear, and pain.

For years, he believed the lie that it wasn’t affecting anything.

But addiction never stays isolated.

The shame, hiding, fear, emotional shutdown, and dishonesty slowly affected every part of their relationship.

Joanna had no idea.

Then came a pivotal hand-of-God moment.

While both attending Fuller Theological Seminary, they heard a pastor and his wife openly share their story of sexual addiction and healing. That one talk cracked open the conversation neither of them knew how to start.

For Matthew, it was the moment he realized he couldn’t carry the secret anymore.

For Joanna, it was the first glimpse into what he had truly been facing.

The road forward was terrifying.

He feared she would leave.
She feared he wouldn’t do the work.

But Matthew chose healing.

He attended an intensive 3-day reset, joined a 12-step recovery program, sought professional support, built new boundaries, and began leading the change in his own life.

The breakthrough came when he stopped doing the work for Joanna… and started doing it for himself.

Together, they had to surrender deeply to God, rebuild trust with radical honesty, and heal both individually and as a couple.

And as Matthew’s shame began to lift, he discovered something life-changing: He was not alone.

Other men, mentors, and guides came into his life at exactly the right time.

Now, more than 10 years later, they’ve shared their story thousands of times and built support systems for couples navigating the same pain.

Their message is powerful:

Healing is possible.
Shame loses its power in the light.
And when we recognize God’s hand, even betrayal can become the beginning of transformation.
Listen to more of their story on Instagram @theraabsmithteam.

If your marriage, trust, or personal healing journey feels impossible right now, this conversation offers real hope. If you're looking for structured support focused on navigating betrayal, infidelity, and recovery contact the Raabsmiths via their Instagram @theraabsmithteam.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode.
📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube.
💬 Comment below: What does healing with God look like in your life right now?


#MatthewAndJoannaRaabsmith
#MarriageHealing
#BetrayalRecovery
#FaithAndHealing
#PornAddictionRecovery
#ChristianMarriage
#TrustAfterTrauma
#HealingJourney
#RecognizeGodsHand
#RelationshipPodcast

What do you do when life keeps turning out nothing like you planned — divorce, special needs parenting, and losing the love of your life?

Amber Jackson’s answer: you keep dancing in the kitchen, keep choosing faith, and keep living boldly.

Amber Jackson’s life is a powerful testimony that God can meet us in the middle of the unexpected.

A widower, divorce survivor, and single mom of four — including a now 15-year-old son with Down Syndrome and three children with special needs — Amber has walked through heartbreak after heartbreak.

At just 21 years old, she became a young mom to her first son, born with Down Syndrome. In the haze of fear and uncertainty, a simple poem tucked into the bottom of a hospital bag changed everything: *Welcome to Holland.*

That story became a turning point.

She realized she had a choice: focus on the life she expected… or embrace the beautiful life God had actually placed in front of her.

Then came divorce — not once, but twice with the same man.

Blindsided and deeply wounded, Amber found herself asking, “What kind of woman am I?”

Her healing began when she discovered the answer wasn’t found in someone else’s opinion.

She is, first and foremost, a daughter of God.

That truth became the foundation that carried her through.

It was during this season that her now-famous kitchen dance parties began — a symbol of choosing joy in the middle of pain.

Then came Tim.

A fellow nurse, an instant connection, and the love of her life.

Together they built a beautiful life and welcomed two more children.

But once again, everything changed when Tim suffered a seizure at work and was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer: glioblastoma.

The life they planned together was suddenly gone.

And yet, Amber saw God’s hand everywhere.

In the meals dropped off by friends.
The people who babysat.
The doctors and nurses who cared for them.
The peace she felt while serving in the temple.

One sacred moment in the sealing room where she and Tim had been married gave her the reassurance she desperately needed: their story had purpose.

A year after Tim’s passing, she received a quiet witness that he was okay — safe in God’s hands.

That moment gave her permission to move forward.

Not to forget.
Not just to live but to live boldly.

For Amber, that means loving God publicly, laughing loudly, grieving honestly, and sharing hope with others through the life she openly documents online.

Her message is unforgettable:
Pain doesn’t disappear.
But when we recognize God’s hand, the pain carries purpose.

And somehow, it becomes lighter.

If you are walking through grief, disappointment, or a life you never planned, Amber’s story will remind you that hope is still possible. Follow her story on Instagram @enjoyingholland.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now.
📺 Watch the full interview on YouTube.
💬 Comment below: Where have you seen God’s hand in your hardest season?

#AmberJackson
#GriefAndHealing
#FaithThroughLoss
#SingleMomStrong
#SpecialNeedsParenting
#ChooseJoy
#KitchenDanceParty
#RecognizeHisHand
#ChristianPodcast
#LiveBoldly

He left home at 16… got into drugs… and ended up in prison.
But Greg Timms’ story isn’t about how far he fell — it’s about how powerfully God brought him back.

Greg Timms was raised with a strong foundation of faith, but like many teenagers, he chose his own path — one that led him away from home, into drugs, and eventually into prison.

Even then, he never stopped believing in God… he just didn’t want to be told what to do.

While serving time, Greg experienced small but powerful moments that reminded him he wasn’t alone — like the time he prayed to get a meaningful ring back, and someone unexpectedly stepped in to protect him and return it.

But it wasn’t just divine moments — it was people.

A family who never gave up on him.
Parents who showed up every week.
A brother who wrote consistently.
A woman named Penny, who would later become his wife, visiting him faithfully.

After prison, Greg built a life — marriage, kids, business — even turning his love for saltwater aquariums into a successful coral aquaculture company.

But something was still missing.

It wasn’t until a simple question from his young son — “When can I be baptized?” — that everything shifted.

That question led Greg back to the Book of Mormon his mother once gave him… and eventually back to church.

At first, he almost walked out.

Until a quiet prompting stopped him in his tracks: “You’re here to be spiritually fed, not to fill your social calendar.”

That moment changed everything.

Through relationships, patience, and years of small steps, Greg not only returned to his faith — but his entire family eventually joined him. Nearly two years after a spiritual prompting in the temple, they were sealed together.

Greg’s life is filled with moments he can only describe as the hand of God — from a stranger who helped save his ear after a ski accident, to the quiet guidance that kept calling him back.

Today, he’s serving as a BYU Pathway missionary, living between Mexico and Calgary, and living proof that:

No matter how far you’ve gone… you can come back.
And God never stops reaching for you.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve gone too far or it’s too late to turn back — this story is for you.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now.
📺 Watch the full interview on YouTube.
💬 Comment below: Have you ever had a moment where you felt God guiding you back?

#GregTimms
#RedemptionStory
#FaithJourney
#ComeBackToGod
#LDSStories
#HopeAndHealing
#RecognizeHisHand
#SecondChances
#ChristianPodcast
#GodsPlan

What if some of the help we receive in life isn’t just from heaven… but from loved ones who are still watching over us?

Dr. Josh Redd has spent his life helping people heal — as the founder of one of the largest functional medicine and autoimmune clinics in the United States, a bestselling author, and a father of five.

But long before his professional success, Josh had to navigate his own spiritual struggles.

Raised in a deeply faith-centered home with a father who taught seminary, Josh grew up surrounded by gospel teaching. Yet his path wasn’t perfectly smooth. When he returned home early from his mission, he had to face the stigma many young people experience and wrestle with building a testimony in his own way.

Instead of walking away, he chose to dig deeper.

He learned that faith isn’t about being perfect — it’s about improving daily, even if we fall again and again.

As a seminary teacher himself, Josh later spent years teaching in a women’s prison, where he met an inmate known as “Grandma Nance.” At first, she came to class determined to prove him wrong. But over time, her heart softened, and her testimony slowly began to grow.

One of the most profound moments in Josh’s life came through an unexpected spiritual experience.

One night, a former friend's wife named Misty appeared to him in what felt like more than a dream, urgently telling him that her husband Mike was in trouble. Determined to find him, Josh searched until he finally tracked Mike down — only to discover that Misty had passed away weeks earlier.

That moment strengthened Josh’s belief that our loved ones who have passed on are still aware of us and still care deeply about our lives.

He has come to believe that angels often speak to us through the Spirit — sometimes in ways we don’t immediately understand.

Josh’s message is simple but powerful:

God communicates with each of us individually.
Our loved ones are closer than we think.
And life becomes exponentially better when we choose to recognize the hand of God in our lives.

Even in the darkest moments, He is there — waiting for us to look.

If you’ve ever wondered whether heaven is closer than we realize, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode.
📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube.
💬 Comment below: Have you ever had a moment where you felt heaven reaching out to you?

#DrJoshRedd
#FaithAndHealing
#RecognizeHisHand
#LDSPodcast
#SpiritualExperiences
#FaithJourney
#AngelsAmongUs
#ChristianPodcast
#HopeAndFaith
#TrustInGod

At 17 years old, Sarah Frei Mills survived a head-on collision with a drunk driver.
She lost both of her legs and became paralyzed from the waist down.

But what happened next is the part of her story that will stay with you.

Sarah Frei Mills was just heading home from a summer day at Bear Lake with friends when everything changed in an instant.

The crash left her with catastrophic injuries — a severed spinal cord and severe blood loss that led to the amputation of both legs. Yet even in the middle of tragedy, Sarah witnessed miracle after miracle.

Strangers stopped immediately to help. One person had grabbed a first aid kit that very morning. Her parents were allowed to be in the hospital room together during strict COVID restrictions. Doctors were able to save more of her legs than originally expected.

And in one of the most pivotal moments of her life, her mother gently told her something that would change everything:

You will still live a life of joy and happiness.

In that moment, Sarah remembered her patriarchal blessing that promised the same thing — and she felt a deep peace from the Lord that she carries with her to this day.

Sarah had to relearn nearly everything from a wheelchair — finishing high school online, learning daily tasks in new ways, and navigating a completely different life than she imagined.

But instead of becoming bitter, she chose something else.

Joy.

With the encouragement of her family and her father’s advice — “You can do anything you want to do, you just have to find a new way to do it” — Sarah has continued to live life fully. She’s swam, played golf, ridden in a hot air balloon, and today she’s a second-grade teacher who loves helping young students learn and grow.

Now married to her high school sweetheart Rylund, Sarah continues to share a powerful reminder: When we learn to recognize God’s hand in our lives — especially during the hard moments — we begin to understand just how much He loves us.

Even in a hospital bed, her daily practice was simple: Gratitude. One thing each day.

And sometimes, that one thing was enough to carry her through.

Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder that even the hardest circumstances cannot take away hope, faith, or the ability to bring light into the world. Listen to her story in Instagram @strong.like.sarah

🎧 Listen to the full episode now.
📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube.
💬 Comment below: What is one thing you’re grateful for today?

#SarahFreiMills
#ChooseJoy
#FaithThroughTrials
#LDSStories
#GratitudeDaily
#Resilience
#HopeInHardTimes
#ChristianPodcast
#Inspiration
#RecognizeHisHand

What if the real “balanced life” isn’t about perfect macros or perfect schedules… but about burying your weapons of rebellion and finally letting God be in charge?

In this episode, Tanna Fox — founder of Live Right Nutrition and Director of Wellness at Ballerina Farms — shares how her journey with food, fitness, and faith became deeply intertwined.

Raised in a loving, faith-filled home, Tanna admits she once took her testimony for granted. But one quiet moment in her car, listening to EFY music, cracked her heart open. That spark led her to classes, deeper study, and eventually serving a mission in Brazil at 22 — because once she knew the Savior, she couldn’t hold back.

A pivotal invitation from her bishop to read The Miracle of Forgiveness shifted everything. For the first time, she truly felt that the Savior loved her — and realized she had to choose that relationship intentionally.

Now a wife, mother of four daughters, wellness leader, and woman of deep faith, Tanna shares how weekly temple attendance, recognizing the hand of God in daily details, and “burying the weapon of rebellion” has transformed her stress into steady peace.

She reminds us:
- God is in the missed turns, the rescheduled meetings, the chaos of motherhood.
- Joy increases when we actively look for His hand.
- Life doesn’t necessarily get easier — but the hard doesn’t feel so heavy when we remember He’s carrying it with us.

Her personal motto? “Living a balanced bit of life.”
Not perfectly balanced — just faithfully aligned.

If you’ve ever struggled to trust God in the messy middle… this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now.
📺 Watch the full interview on YouTube.
💬 Comment below: Where have you seen the hand of God in your life recently?

#TannaFox
#LiveRightNutrition
#FaithAndWellness
#LDSWomen
#TempleAttendance
#TrustGod
#BalancedLife
#ChristianPodcast
#WomenOfFaith
#RecognizeHisHand
#BeyondCoincidencePodcast

What if the miracle isn’t that your trials disappear… but that God keeps showing up in the middle of them?

Denae Branch grew up in California with a diverse group of friends, strong opinions, and a typical teenage streak of rebellion. It wasn’t until attending EFY that she decided to ask for herself: Is there a God? And does He love me?

The answer came in a way she has never forgotten—an overwhelming, warm, fiery peace that changed the direction of her life. That prompting led her to move in with her grandparents for a fresh start. Even her parents received confirmation it was the right decision. From a young age, she learned that God doesn’t just answer prayers—He orchestrates lives.

Years later, during one of the hardest seasons her family had ever faced, Denae felt her heart hardening with anger and self-pity. Sitting in church one Sunday, as her bishop spoke about Job, she felt a quiet nudge from the Lord: Watch for the miracles instead of counting the losses.

So she did.

And they were everywhere.

Promptings to list their home when it didn’t make sense. Guidance to a specific new house that became a place of healing. Small, steady reassurances that God was near—even when life felt chaotic.

Now, after witnessing trauma that would shake anyone’s sense of safety, Denae has chosen not to grow quiet—but to grow bold. Her testimony is simple and steady: when we look for God’s hand, we find Him. And when we find Him, our trust deepens.

If you’ve been focusing on what’s gone wrong, maybe this is your reminder to start watching for what’s going right.
Listen to Denae’s story and ask yourself: Where has God shown up for me lately?

#BeyondCoincidencePodcast
#WatchingForMiracles
#FaithInTheFire
#TrustGod
#SeeingGodsHand
#TenderMercies
#WomenOfFaith
#HopeInHardTimes
#ChooseFaith
#GodInTheDetails

They were told they would never have children… and then a phone call changed everything.

Kamarie Edwards grew up learning to cook from scratch, living a simple life in small-town BC, and trying to figure out her faith like many young adults do. After meeting her husband Derek, they faced devastating news early in their marriage—having biological children was unlikely. Years of fertility treatments, heartbreak, and unanswered prayers left Kamarie feeling angry at God and unsure of her faith.

Just as they began to accept a different future, a temporary job took her to Regina for what was supposed to be only a few months. While there, a sudden phone call from a coworker changed their lives forever: her daughter had just had a baby and wanted Kamarie and Derek to adopt him.

Kamarie now sees how every detour, delay, and disappointment led them exactly where they were meant to be. Years later, another unexpected call brought their daughter into the family too. Looking back, she can see a plan unfolding—one far different from the one she imagined, but more beautiful than she ever could have planned.

If this story reminds you that life rarely unfolds the way we expect, listen to this episode and share it with someone who needs hope today 💛

#BeyondCoincidencePodcast #AdoptionStory #FaithJourney #GodsPlan #MiraclesHappen #TrustTheProcess #MotherhoodJourney #HopeInHardTimes #FaithStories #HandOfGod

What does a death-penalty defense attorney learn about God after a lifetime of defending people at their worst?

Will Ewing has spent most of his career standing beside people who couldn’t stand alone—working as a public defender on homicide and death-penalty cases. Day after day, he stepped into courtrooms filled with pain, grief, and broken stories.

Seeing God in that work wasn’t always easy.

But over time, he began to notice something powerful: forgiveness in courthouse hallways… love between families who once stood on opposite sides… and the quiet reminder that every person is still a child of God.

Long before his legal career, Will learned that God is in the details. After his mother passed away when he was just three years old, his father later married a widowed friend who had walked a similar path of loss. Two grieving families became one family of twelve. Looking back, Will sees the Lord gently weaving lives together to bring healing.

Years later, a young man Will helped with a simple legal case spoke at his missionary farewell and compared Will’s advocacy to what the Savior does for all of us. That moment crystallized a lifetime of work: he hadn’t just been defending clients—he’d been practicing Christlike advocacy.

Because at the heart of the gospel is the ultimate Advocate. One who speaks for us when we cannot speak for ourselves.

Listen to this conversation and reflect: Where have you seen mercy, forgiveness, or quiet miracles in unexpected places?

#TheAdvocate
#JusticeAndMercy
#GodInTheDetails
#FaithInTheWork
#ForgivenessHeals
#ChildOfGod
#SeeingGodsHand