Fireside Talk Radio

If your child has mental illness and you feel overwhelmed, tune in to this episode. Successful attorney, committed family man, and loving Christian, Doug McSwane explains that finding resources for families is tough for anyone. Out of Doug's own experience with his son's suicide comes a wealth of help and encouragement. Even people with amazing education and financial resources find the process of getting help baffling. On the other hand, if you are wondering what to do next, Doug has some great insight on options that will offer your family help and hope.

Suicide is a gut-wrenching topic even for us at Camp Krafve where we believe no topic is too taboo. In this episode, dear friend Doug McSwane tenderly shares the story of his son's mental illness. He explains the trauma and bewilderment families suffer when a beloved child manifests symptoms. Doug generously tells his story, including things he learned and felt as the journey unfolded. If you or anyone you love is facing suicide, you will want to listen in on this daring and courageous conversation for the ways Doug's experience can help you. We gratefully share this with you in tribute to the beautiful life of Patrick McSwane.

Financial guru, Marina Schroeder joins Cathy to answer the BIG financial questions we've been saving for her, like: What's the most common mistakes young families make? How do you navigate working with your kids in a family business? What can families do to help widows or single moms make the transition to managing their own money?

If you have money questions, too, Marina has answers. Don't miss this chance to multiply your financial savvy with this talented financial advisor.

Financial Guru Marina Schroeder tenderly shares the way her childhood experiences influenced her to be a person whose life is characterized by forgiveness. Explaining the pain she experienced in her family due to abuse, she shares how her relationship with Jesus Christ allowed her to forgive.

With grace, humor, lots of patience, and yes, that good ole work ethic, she now counsels everyone to own their success. For lots of great tips for gaining success, in all aspects of life, don't miss the conversational adventure with this dear friend.

The wise and wonderful Sandy Bristow is back to share her wisdom on how sexual trauma affects women in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. With depression as a real symptom, she explains how our enemy, the devil, likes to isolate those who've been hurt, then "move in for the kill." Instead she offer data that empowers us and the best treatment of all: community. Sandy defines trustworthiness when it comes to friends and counselors who can actually help us.As always, she brings her extensive wisdom to bear in giving us the advice and encouragement.

“We can learn from one another. There’s a sisterhood here. We need to pray for one another.” ~Sandy Bristow

Women's Minister Sandy Bristow joins Cathy to share about her experience with sexual assault. This highly educated, gifted counselor shares her personal experience of being attacked by a trusted health professional, a chiropractor. From the first moments of the show when she offers the legal definition of sexual assault to the end when she sums up God's love of justice, Sandy shares one profound insight after another. If you or someone you love has been fondled, groped, or raped, her wisdom will equip you to seek justice.

In this episode, Pastor Stanley Cofer returns to update us on some of the great stuff happening around East Texas to finally do away with self-segregation. He shares his secrets for attracting young people and people from all ethnic backgrounds to community events. He talks about how Christians can be relevant.

Factoring in respect for personal preferences when it comes to worship styles, he encourage folks to break down walls by bringing together congregations for special events.

Finally, with compassion and insight he shares the valuable heart-felt messages he has for his white brothers and sisters. You won't want to miss this truthful discussion of what it takes to become an empowerment community.

Pastor Stanley Cofer credits his parents' insight and love of God’s word for the advantages he's enjoyed even as a young man.

“They placed the word of God as the top authority. I never heard my parents downgrade a caucasian person, Nor did they exalt their own race.”

Because they taught him to seek God first, he finds himself in a unique lace in East Texas. In a community that has struggled with racial division for over a hundred years, Stanley and his wife Christy find themselves in an unusual position. Spearheading a movement for unity, through the Empowerment Community Development Corporation, they find their efforts to bring unity to East Texas attracting enthusiasm. To those who scoff, Stanley has this to say:

"I am not pro-back. I am not pro-white. I am pro-human," adding, "If Christ is the center, you can’t help but be an agent of love."

In this candid interview about what motivates him to address race issues with such a vulnerable heart, Ben Scaccia opens up about how he came to write the best-selling novel, Meals from Mars. Ben shares how his preconceived ideas were challenged in Chicago when, as a student at Wheaton, he volunteered at Cook County's juvie jail. The young men he met there challenged him to think about reconciliation and justice from a different perspective. If you've wondered what you could do to help heal our nation's schism over race , you will want to tune in for the practical and perceptive insight Ben offers. Eighteen years as an educator at Restoration Academy near Birmingham, Alabama have cemented this good man's love for his diverse community.

Ben Sciacca is back with Cathy to offer practical advice on how even one person's efforts can ripple out to create unity in our communities. What can we do? Anything simple and easy that might make a difference on the tough issue of racism? You bet! Along with reconciliation and justice, Ben offers insight on "Shalom, peace that makes harmony and delight in all our relationships." We are so proud of this episode that identifies the kind of Biblical peace promised when we discover the secret to seeking it first in our own hearts.