Fireside Talk Radio

Suzy Shepherd joins Cathy to explain the Four Principles of how love can undergird all our relationships. As mom in a blended family with nine kiddos, Suzy gets to practice the four relationship principles on a daily basis.

When asked how she and her husband manage their unique family blend, she laughs that they’ve “resigned themselves to the idea that laundry and dishes are forever." Don't miss the lessons this energetic and insightful lady shares from her own life.

Gifted communicator, Suzy Shepherd tells her personal story of how brokenness transformed her life. A Divisional Director of Stonecroft and founder of the sisterhood, Suzy is dedicated to helping women connect with each other. She shares how the support of good women in our lives can make all the difference. Suzy devotes her life to nurturing all relationships through her teaching, writing, training, and speaking. You won't want to miss the personal insight this dear lady shares straight from her own experience.

Suzy shares how Four Principles can transform all our relationships.

Christian Communicator and thought leader, Lori Boruff joins Cathy for more up close and personal conversation. Lori shares from from her extensive experience about how grief can set a son or daughter onto a self-destructive path. Lori's heart broke as her own son went to prison, only to see her prayers answered as his life turned around. Now the leader of a well-known and effective ministry to those rebuilding their life after incarceration, her son is one reason Lori shares her wisdom and experience so freely.

Communications Guru, Lori Boruff, (Life Coach, Professional Speaker, and Co-Owner of Christian Communicators) joins Cathy to tell the story of having a son in jail. She describes what she calls her "personal nine-eleven moment."

When they arrested her son, taking him away from their home in handcuffs, Lori's life direction changed instantly. Yet, she says, "God had plans for her family and "it was a good direction even in that painful moment." If you have a friend with a child in prison, Lori teaches us what to pray and what to say. She even links the common thread of loss and grief for those who end up in prison. Don't miss this amazing episode!

Award-winning Author Sandra Merville Hart joins Cathy to talk about her wonderful Civil War era book, A Rebel in My House. Both sides of the conflict receive tender grace from Sandra in this engaging, action-packed story. With compassion, Sandy creates characters to love. Cathy asks questions about her inspiration and decision-making when it comes to handling history respectfully. With five books out by this time next year, Sandra is a rising star in publishing circles. For Sandy, climbing out of the box, means creating stories that reflect compassion for people and respect for history.

When adults discourage a child from pursuing God-given talents, a creative child can feel boxed in. Author and Speaker Sandra Merville Hart and Cathy talk about escaping the box. Sandy wrote her first book in third grade. Sandy shares how a few poorly chosen words slammed her blossoming talent for story-telling and writing to a halt. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with your active, creative child, Sandy gives you lots of encouragement, sharing how a few positive words reenergized her love of writing. How do we create when everyone around us says, “No Way!” If you’ve ever wondered if you have what it takes to pursue a dream against all odds, or train your kids to, this is the episode for you!

One of Cathy’s favorite thought leaders, Sarah Cumming, the head of Promise Academy, joins Cathy to chat about how communities benefit when joy and justice team up. Sarah describes the best kind of communities, when joy enhances respect and justice. “In a (healthy) community you come to things as equals. There’s not a skewed power dynamic. Joy says its good for us to be together and, as equals, to learn together,” says Sarah. Sarah shares insight about how students, donors, volunteers, teachers, all benefit from a discipleship mindset. If you’re making decisions about how to best educate your children or encourage your grandchildren, don’t miss what this wise educator and mom shares from her heart!

In this episode, thought leader Sarah Cumming shares how education can enhance justice in communities. She tells of her love story with education. Sarah is leveraging all her experience, including at the famous Manhattan Christian Academy, to benefit east Texas. She’s leading the charge for Promise Academy, the first Christian school in north Tyler, an underserved area. At Promise Academy, they’re joining “families to nurture kingdom-minded citizens who work for justice, economic opportunity, ethnic harmony, hope for the family and joy in their communities.” Just for fun, Cathy also gets the scoop on her love story with her hubby, too. If you love how education and justice can enhance each other, don’t miss Sarah’s story! (Notice how we worked love in there one more time?!)

Dave and Barb Howe share what works in the battle for freedom from porn addiction. How can wives or mothers bring up the topic when they suspect there's a problem? What can moms do to help their young sons avoid porn addiction? How can churches offer hope to men? Barb offer wisdom and even some catch phrases that soften the drama.

This courageous couple takes on one of our culture's most taboo topics with grace and insight. Don't miss this episode for battle-worthy strategies!

What if you found a stash of, ahem, uncomfortable magazines or a special file on your spouse's computer? Are their symptoms that indicate your spouse may be struggling with a porn addiction? Together husband and wife team Dave and Barb Howe talk about how porn affected their marriage. She opens up about the battle for her marriage, offering a prayer strategy that works. He shares the ways men can be deceived into thinking no one is affected when they start fooling around with porn. Author of the book, Live are and Free, Dave shares key ways men can gain victory.