CrossCurrent Podcasts

Carl Trueman turns to Dostoyevsky to explain how rejecting sacred moral boundaries ultimately leads to the dehumanization of others.

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Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been historically revered throughout the Islamic tradition. This began already in the Qur'an, where she is called by the name "Maryam." The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries (Fortress Press, 2025) examines the varied appearances of Maryam in different Islamic cultural and theological contexts. The chapters in this history extend from Maryam's scriptural mentions in the Qur'an and the biography of the Prophet Muhammad, her appearances in medieval debates regarding prophecy, citations of her virtuous model in Sufi discussions of piety, presentations in art and film, through to her role in modern interfaith relations.

Younus Y. Mirza is the Founding Director of the Barzinji Institute for Global Virtual Learning at Shenandoah University. He defended his dissertation in Arabic and Islamic Studies from Georgetown University and has taught at Millsaps and Allegheny Colleges. His research focuses on the relationship between the Bible and the Qur’an and the shared stories between them

Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature.

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During his more than 20 years as a homicide detective, J. Warner Wallace investigated several “no-body, missing person cases.” He successfully helped identify and convict killers, even without evidence from the scene. He utilizes these same detective skills and techniques to investigate the historical life and actions of Jesus – using the evidence of history alone to confirm the historicity and deity of Jesus. In this interview, Wallace will share about his faith journey and his fascinating detective research proving the claims and historical authenticity of Jesus.
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Using technology to reflect the sacrificial work of Christ. 

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During his more than 20 years as a homicide detective, J. Warner Wallace investigated several “no-body, missing person cases.” He successfully helped identify and convict killers, even without evidence from the scene. He utilizes these same detective skills and techniques to investigate the historical life and actions of Jesus – using the evidence of history alone to confirm the historicity and deity of Jesus. In this interview, Wallace will share about his faith journey and his fascinating detective research proving the claims and historical authenticity of Jesus.
Receive a copy of the Helping Kids Through Life’s Changes bundle and an audio download of "Person of Interest" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.
Get more episode resources 
Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly!
If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

What does it take to face years of surgeries, severe dyslexia, and lifelong medical challenges without allowing them to define your future?

In this conversation, Kurt Luidhardt talks with JT Mestdagh, author of No Bad Days and founder of the JT Mestdagh Foundation. Born with VATER/VACTERL syndrome, JT shares how faith, family, and the right people around him helped him face difficult seasons with hope.

JT also tells the story of being told he could not keep up with the other students at school, learning to read through a specialized program, and eventually becoming the author of four books.

He explains why sharing your struggles can help you build a stronger tribe and why asking for support is a sign of strength, not failure.

The conversation follows JT from hospital rooms to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, where illness, dehydration, and altitude sickness forced him to let someone else carry his backpack.

That moment taught him an important lesson: we are not meant to carry every burden alone.

JT also shares how his foundation provides medical supplies, supports families facing health challenges, and helps children with dyslexia access literacy programs.

His message is simple: there are no bad days, only hard days, and we can get through them with faith and the people around us.

If you are facing a health challenge, learning difference, setback, or uncertain season, this episode is a reminder that your hardest experiences can become opportunities to help others.

00:00 Intro

01:58 Being Born With VATER/VACTERL Syndrome

04:36 How Hospital Life Changed His Perspective

06:25 No Bad Days, Only Hard Days

08:14 Holding On to Faith Through Pain

09:29 Being Told He Could Not Keep Up in School

12:00 Why Sharing Your Story Builds Your Tribe

14:09 Finding the Right People to Support You

17:24 Why JT Chose to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

21:25 The Backpack Lesson That Changed His Perspective

23:01 Crossing the Grand Canyon and Testing His Limits

24:14 How the JT Mestdagh Foundation Helps Families

26:07 The Story Behind No Bad Days

28:06 Legacy, Impact, and Giving Back

Resources Mentioned

• No Bad Days: Turning Your Biggest Challenges into Your Greatest Opportunities

• Untether by JT Mestdagh

• The JT Mestdagh Foundation

• The Tattum Reading Program

• Ronald McDonald House Charities

Connect With JT Mestdagh

• Foundation: https://www.jtmestdaghfoundation.org

• Book: https://nobaddaysbook.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jt_mestdagh/

Connect with Liberty Spenders™:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/libertyspenders

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertyspenders

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/libertyspende

Do children belong to the state, or does the state exist to aid parents in their fundamental duties? 

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For more resources visit breakpoint.org.