Happiness is considered a destination, but the finish line is constantly moving—when we get married, find that dream job, move away from home, have a baby, build a dream house, etc. We are promised that a happy life is tied to these milestones.

But what if society has it wrong? What if happiness isn't the goal at all?

Mary Katherine Backstrom, best known for her viral videos and candid writing on family, faith, and mental illness, discusses this in her new book, Crazy Joy: Finding Wild Happiness in a World That's Upside Down. 

Today on Connections, MK shares the difference between happiness and joy, the importance of discussing mental health and how you can find true joy in a world that is upside down.

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As a police officer for 25 years, Norm Wielsch witnessed his share of trauma and would later fall into a downward spiral following his diagnosis of PTSD. He served eight years of a 14-year sentence on corruption charges and emerged from federal prison determined to help others — particularly first responders — heal from trauma.

Today on Connections, Norm shares his powerful story of transformation.

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When award-winning hip-hop artist Brinson Wright was just four years old, he was given a cassette tape containing the song “Bible Break” by Stephen Wiley (regarded as the godfather of Christian rap), and a seed was planted.  

Since then, Brinson has gone on to found GodChaserz Entertainment and has facilitated more than 20 Christ-centred hip-hop albums. He has also travelled the globe spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. 

Today on Connections, Brinson shares where his passion for hip hop music started and how he was able to incorporate God into it. 

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Shelley Thody's childhood started great. She went to church regularly and knew that she loved Jesus. 

As she grew older, she stopped reading the Bible and grew further away from Jesus. 

By the time she was in grade 12, she had moved, met new people and made some unhealthy choices. 

As she grew further away from God, she became involved in an abusive relationship. Once that relationship ended, she started to feel depression setting in. 

After three years of dealing with some extreme emotions, Shelley Thody was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She eventually hit rock bottom and attempted suicide. 

She survived and realized that God wasn't done with her yet. Miracles started happening in her life, and she was drawn back to God.

Today on Connections, Shelley shares her powerful testimony and how she's using her diagnosis to help others. 

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Christian Artist Sean BE is best known for his unforgettable music, electric high-energy live performances, and undeniable passion for the calling God placed on his life. 

Formerly a “Next Gen” Pastor in Denver,  Sean and his family relocated in 2021, to Nashville where he’s been called to create great Christ-centered music that will continue his mission to inspire the next generation as they find their way toward the future God has for them.  

Above all, Sean also reminds listeners “God has a purpose in everything, and will work all things for good, for those who love Him.”   This is the inspiration for the phrase, "We did not come this far, just to come this far”  which can often be found in his messages and songs. 

Today on Connections, Sean BE shares his journey from pride to praise. 

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June 8, 1972, is a date that Kim Phuc Phan Thi will never forget. 

It was in the middle of the Vietnam war. Kim Phuc was just nine years old when an American military advisor coordinated a napalm bombing of Kim's village by the South Vietnamese.

She was photographed running naked down a road, her skin on fire with napalm. A photograph that won a Pulitzer Prize and changed the way we look at war.

Kim Phuc suffered for years in pain but held on to hope and was eventually able to find Jesus. 

She shares that powerful story with us today on Connections.

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Laura Barringer is an early years teacher by day and an author in her spare time.

Her latest project is a new book she co-authored with her father, Scot McKnight, A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing.

Barringer says in recent years, Christians have gotten used to revelations of abuses of many kinds in our most respected churches, and we need a better way.

Today on Connections, Laura discusses her thoughts on church leadership and ways of moving forward in a good way. She will also share the inspiration behind the book and what it was like to write with her father.

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Back to school is just around the corner.

School supply lists are out, and parents are searching for the best deal on supplies. 

Sandra Fry is an accredited financial counsellor with the Credit Counselling Society.

Today on Connections, she shares tips and advice on how we can save money when back-to-school shopping. 

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As a respected professional counsellor, published author and keynote speaker, Andrea Anderson Polk leverages more than a decade of clinical experience, illuminating storytelling, and deep compassion to help people uncover truths, break free of harmful behaviour and relationships, and celebrate newfound freedom. 

In her book, The Cuckoo Syndrome, Andrea helps us fend off the cuckoos—unhealthy relationships, toxic thinking, and self-sabotaging behaviour—to find our identity in God and discover new purpose, vision, and meaning in our lives.

Today on Connections, Andrea explains what the Cuckoo Syndrome is and how we can rid ourselves of the cuckoos in our lives.

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Lily grew up in a Muslim family in Iran and immigrated to the US as a teenager, only to find herself in an arranged marriage that her father set up as part of a business deal. That business deal drove her family apart, and she was alone in a new country in an abusive marriage.

She became a Christian - and now her life is restored, and she is working with Iran Alive to reach women in Iran - the very ministry that helped her discover Jesus.

Today on Connections, Lily shares her amazing journey to becoming a Christian and how we here in the west can help those living in Iran.

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