Crossmap Podcast

Have you ever been so frustrated with life that you just wanted to throw everything away and start fresh?  It sounds great until you start considering all the ramifications involved.
 
Things like:
 
- Quitting your job
- Selling the house and moving to a new location
- Saying goodbye to friends and family (at least for a little while)
- Dropping out of church, school, and various other civic organizations
- Saying no to routine and saying yes to radical change
 
The list could go and on but you get the idea. Starting fresh is far from an easy process. One can get nauseous just thinking about all of the ramifications and consequences.
 
Not to say that change can’t be good in our lives, but sometimes it just seems easier to keep the status quo by leaving our fantasy of a life change for another day.
 
Angie Orth made the life-changing decision to follow through on a life-change. With her thirtieth birthday looming, Orth decided to escape her everyday life and embark on a journey of a lifetime. So, she quit her job, launched a travel blog, and booked a one-way ticket to the South Pacific and a few other exotic ports of call. 
 
Along the way, Orth found herself dodging tsunamis, earthquakes, political revolutions, and the relentless pursuit of her family trying to contact her. But most importantly, despite her global misadventures, Orth strengthened her relationship with God and found a new resolve to chart the course for the rest of her life.
 
In her new book, “Flirting with Disaster: True Tales of Fear, Failure, and Faith”, Orth shares a few pages from living life unscripted yet still on a mission. But most importantly, she demonstrates that God’s vision for our lives is far better than anything we could ever come up with.
 
Orth joins us on the Crossmap Podcast talk about how she made a complete 180 degree turn that changed everything about her life in a positive way. Listen how living life unscripted yet still on mission led her directly into a much stronger relationship with God.

The allure of pornography can be quite intoxicating. And why not? It’s always available and easy to hide. Nobody else has to know about it.
 
Pornography is one of the few places in life where you are in complete control of your sexuality. Quite frankly, pornography never says no. You can be vulnerable, take emotional risks, and explore whatever you want to with no fear of judgment.
 
What you have just read is what the world has to say. But what about the Bible? Based on the various precepts set forth in Scripture, it is quite clear that the enemy has taken one of the most amazing gifts that God has given us, the gift of sex, and twisted it.
 
Believe it or not, pornography is a big deal that destroys families and relationships. Yet, most Americans don’t think pornography is a problem. But it is. Just ask our guest, Joshua Broome.
 
In 2013, Broome was not only into pornography but he had made it a career. He had appeared in over 1,000 adult films and had even won awards for this work, the adult film industry’s top honor, “Performer of the Year”. Broome was making more money than he thought he would ever earn, and living large had become a reality not some far fetched dream.
 
But within his soul, Broome was empty. He had done all the things that he thought would satisfy him completely yet they didn’t work. Instead, they actually amplified his anxiety and deepened his depression to the point where he was planning to end his life.
 
But God intervened. Intending to commit suicide, a chance encounter with a bank teller changed Broome’s life. In that moment, he made the impulsive decision to leave the adult film industry for good.
 
That decision changed my Broome’s life forever. While his departure from the porn industry was not easy, he still struggled with his identity and purpose. But he purposefully sought to make better choices.
 
Interestingly enough, today, more than a decade later, Broome is married and the father of three. He has gone from touring the world with porn-star fame to touring the world spreading God’s redemption and freedom. He has a new book out called “The 7 Lies That Ruin Your Life”, designed to give practical advice for those struggling with false approval and purpose.
 
Broome joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about why so many people struggle to find their identity and purpose and how pornography tries to fill that void. Listen as he urges parents to overcome their fears and engage in honest dialogue about sex with their kids and highlights that it is a beautiful aspect of life that God intended for marriage.

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Prayer, otherwise known as communication with God, is a way for anyone to ask for help, plead for forgiveness, or even offer praises to the Almighty. It can be a time to confess our sins and enter into a more intimate relationship with our creator. 

Prayer can also have a profound physiological effect on us, such as lowering blood pressure and heart rate and even assist in regulating our breathing. It can also help us to focus on the blessings and good in our lives, while calming our spirits.

Simply put, prayer can be seen as a good thing, centering our hearts on the one who gives life and provides us with optimism in a world of negativity and pain.

For more than 40 years, my guest today has entertained audiences as an internationally acclaimed media personality and musician who has won 6 Emmys, and earned two Grammy nominations. With such widespread success, it seemed only natural that he would continue to garner accolades for his diverse range of talent. But it wasn’t until 2015, when he was given 18 months to live due to a cancer diagnosis that he discovered the single greatest thing in his life: how to unleash the power of prayer.

With his future looking grim, my guest began to practice what he calls the “power of healing prayer”. Today, nine years later, my guest remains cancer free.

Because he is such a believer in the foundational power of prayer, my guest has launched a new online course, “The Secrets to Answered Prayers.” In it, he shares what he has learned about healing prayer in hopes of helping others to develop a more powerful and effective prayer life.

John joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about how prayer sustained him through his own terminal cancer diagnosis. Listen as he explains how healing prayer differs from regular prayer, and shares a few tips on how to pray with more authority against sickness and disease.

Links to Crossmap

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There have been so many stories over the years about someone defying the odds to achieve some level of greatness in their lifetime. So many that experts have dug quite deeply in a pursuit to find the common threads that define why someone is driven to seek high-performance and uncommon results.

While the research is sometimes conflicting, all can agree that a person who defies the odds has developed a range of coping skills, personality traits and supports, in home, school, and community that help them overcome adversity.

Dr. Ming Wang is one such person.  A poor Chinese immigrant who grew up in 1970s rural China, Dr. Wang faced persecution and despair at every turn. But with the support of his family and his own unwavering determination, somehow, some way, he found his way to America to attend Harvard and MIT. And through his research, Dr. Wang developed an innovative technology that subsequently restored sight to millions of people.

Dr. Wang is the subject of a new movie from Angel Studios called ‘Sight’. Starring Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear and Terry Chin, the film explores Dr. Wang’s traumatic past and celebrates his ability to not only defy the odds but to go beyond his natural abilities to find solutions that would make the world a better place.

Andrew Hyatt not only directed this movie but also co-wrote the script. His award-winning resume also includes films like “The Blind”, “Paul, Apostle of Christ”, and “Full of Grace”. It is Andrew’s desire to inspire others to persevere and to follow their dreams.

Andrew joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about Dr. Wang’s relentless pursuit of excellence when everything seemed to be working against him. Listen as he explains why, in our desperate need for heroes, we should look no further than to those who have dedicated their lives to helping others in humble, non-attention seeking ways.

Links to Crossmap

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We have all heard the old phrase that laughter is the best medicine. While it may seem hard to believe that laughter contains medicinal properties, scientific research reveals that it can actually boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, and trigger the release of endorphins.

But what is laughter really? Simply said, it is a gift. Laughter can recharge your focus, give you a much needed break when facing a stressful situation, and even renew your spirit to find the courage to face a highly difficult season of life.

Chonda Pierce knows this all too well. A stand-up comedian blessed with a combination of southern charm and feisty wit, she has a very good sense of what is funny … and what is not. Chonda also knows laughter can have a short shelf life. That life is not always a series of jokes to make you smile. And even though you may be laughing on the outside, something very different is happening on the inside.

In her latest book, “Life is Funny Until It’s Not: A Comic’s Story of Love, Loss, and Lunacy”, Chonda shares her deep pain, personal darkness, and the lifetime of challenges served as the genesis to the material that millions of people have found side-splittingly funny for more than 30 years.
But through it all, God was there, on top of every peak and at the depths of every valley. Chonda's story of unshakeable faith will certainly inspire people to turn to God and trust His never-ending faithfulness.
 
Chonda joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about the good, bad, and ugly parts of her life. Listen as she expresses why it is important for her to share these secrets with people and what advice she has for someone who is scared to share traumatic experiences with family and friends.

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A lighthouse offers a promise of safety, warning travelers of unforeseen danger and guiding them along their journey. It symbolizes hope and salvation. Likewise, God, who is the light of the world, is our refuge, leading and beckoning us to safety during the storms of life.
 
This turbulence we endure is often a byproduct of our choices, beliefs, and the world around us. But when God’s truth and presence becomes our life’s foundation, we remain unmoved by the changing of our moods and culture, which frees us to live with confidence and peace.
 
In her latest book, “Light for Today: 365 Daily Devotions from the Lighthouse”, Fox News Religion Correspondent Lauren Green reminds us that despite the fogginess of our world and its cultural pressures, mistruths, and downright lies, we can fully depend on our ever-present God.
 
Furthermore, Green understands the value of embracing the comfort and assurance of Scripture and understanding God in a more personal way.

Green joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about how we can know that an ever-reliable God is there and waiting for us at all times through our "spiritual fogginess". Listen as she shares how we can call ourselves people of faith but that our lives reflect our true beliefs.

Links to Crossmap

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The definition of an unsung hero is one who does great deeds but receives little or no recognition for them.
 
In the sports arena, it is a player that no one is expecting to score the winning touchdown, make the winning shot, or lead the team to victory.
 
In the arts and entertainment world, an unsung hero is someone who makes all the necessary arrangements to ensure that a concert or theatrical performance goes off without a hitch. This person may not capture the hearts and imaginations of the audience, but their steadying influence on the production pushes it to a higher level.
 
In the life of a family, an unsung hero often serves as the backbone of the home and provides a quiet, consistent influence to ensure that each member not only survives day to day life but thrives to their fullest potential.
 
For KING & COUNTRY’S Luke Smallbone has achieved great heights of fame and popularity as a featured member of one of today’s most successful contemporary Christian musical groups. With 13 Dove Awards and 4 Grammy Awards to their credit, Smallbone believes that none of this would have been possible without God’s steadying hand and an unsung hero … his mother.
 
Smallbone joins us on the Crossmap Podcast this week to discuss a new movie about his family’s struggles upon their arrival in America from Australia and the effort to rebuild lives that seemed to have fallen to tatters. It’s called Unsung Hero, and showcases a mother’s faith to stand against all odds and inspire her husband and children to hold onto their faith in the grimmest of circumstances.
 
Smallbone joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about what fueled his family’s resilience to be patient with the idea of packing up their entire lives and coming to America. Listen as he shares about how his life might be different today if his parents hadn’t made the bold, God-infused decision to leave everything behind to build a better tomorrow for their family.

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Here are some simple yet probing questions that have far reaching, sometimes complicated answers. You know the type, the ones where you respond with, “That would take all afternoon to answer that one!"

Here goes:

• Are you feeling stuck?
• Do you want more out of life?
• Do you sometimes feel lost, not in a geographic sense, but in an emotional, sometimes psychologically damaging way?

Perhaps you are just floating along in life, with high hopes but limited expectations. You want to be excited about each and every day but things start to go downhill for you after that first cup of coffee. Every day looks the same, and the nights, well, they can be trying on your soul.

Dr. Josh Axe believes that you can find your sense of purpose, and even better, you can fulfill your greatest potential.
In his latest book, “Think This, Not That”, Dr. Axe reveals the top 12 mental barriers that can often place a restricting tether on your hopes and dreams. His goal is to show you how to become the best possible version of yourself that you can be. 
Dr. Axe has first hand experience with this as he reveals the ailment that ruined his health for months and how his mindset served as the best remedy for a full recovery.

Dr. Axe joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to discuss how to be mentally and physically strong and how to best overcome the vices that hold you back. Listen as he shares some best practices on how to find and develop a more meaningful life.

Links to Crossmap

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Have you ever considered what it would be like to be part of a global movement of people living their lives God’s way, one that inspires, transforms, and equips believers to do all that God has called them to do?

It sounds quite refreshing and inspiring when you think about it. But putting it into practice can be quite a different experience than what you read in a glossy brochure.

Internationally acclaimed motivational speaker Nick Vujicic believes that as a community of believers all dedicated to a common cause by using similar principles, we can impact every nook and crevice of society with the power of God and the life-changing truth of the Gospel of Jesus.

And Vujicic should know a thing or two about doing just that. He is the world’s #1 motivational speaker and has spoken to more than 800,000 people in 78 different countries worldwide. As someone who was born without limbs – no arms or legs, Vujicic’s courage and tenacity for life has made him an expert on resilience and looking at life through an incredibly awe-inspiring lens.

Vujicic is part of a new series of one-day life-changing events where thousands of local Christians gather to learn how to create and multiply financial resources to positively impact the Kingdom of God. The event is called LifeSurge and is coming to a city near you.

Vujicic joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to discusswhat attendees can expect when they go to see and take part in one of these events. Listen as he shares why it is so critically important to equip Christians to be salt and light and thrive in all they do.

Links to Crossmap

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This is a story that you just can’t make up. It is a tale that will make you wince, even cringe at times, but ultimately you are drawn to the powerful lessons found through healing, forgiveness, and redemption.

Author Carrie Sheffield has led a very turbulent  life but fortunately she has emerged a stronger and grateful person due to her experiences. 
Sheffield grew up the fifth of eight children with a violent, mentally ill, street-musician father who believed he was a modern day Mormon prophet destined to become U.S. president someday. Forced to live in sheds, tents, and a rundown motorhome, she and her family were often forced to live a dysfunctional drifter existence.

Life was so transient that Sheffield attended 17 public schools before she turned 18 years old. But somehow, someway, she was the first of her siblings to escape this toxic lifestyle created by her father. But it certainly wasn’t easy. Struggling with her own mental health, Sheffield eventually overcame her troubled past thanks to the power of forgiveness, a direct result of her conversion to Christianity.

Today, Sheffield is an Ivy League graduate who has forged a successful career in journalism as a columnist, broadcaster, and policy analyst. In addition, she has written an eye-opening memoir called “Motorhome Prophecies: A Journey of Healing and Forgiveness”. Its 336 riveting pages chronicles her harrowing journey from despair to salvation.

Sheffield joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about the power of forgiveness in relation to the troubled life she has led. Listen as she empowers others to reject the cycles of poverty, depression, and self-hatred to lead a more positive and impacting life.

Links to Crossmap

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