Newsmakers

On this episode of Newsmakers, three powerful stories unfold. First, Brad Brandon shares why he is returning to Nigeria despite credible terrorist threats and a reported bounty on his life, as violence from groups like Boko Haram intensifies.

What happens when faith collides with real-world evidence, life-or-death moments, and radical encounters with God? On this episode of Newsmakers, Billy Hallowell goes behind the headlines with three powerful voices whose stories are sparking conversation—and challenging skepticism: 

Are we witnessing spiritual deception in real time? On this episode of "Newsmakers," Pastor Jack Hibbs breaks down end-times prophecy, doctrines of demons, and the truth about Israel in unprecedented times. Then, filmmaker Cindy Bond joins us to share how the Holy Spirit prompted her to create "I Can Only Imagine 2" — a powerful follow-up rooted in faith and perseverance.

When one thinks about Bravo's "The Real Housewives" franchise, many things likely come to mind. But "Jesus-loving" and "Christian" generally aren't two of the first descriptors to materialize. Yet Lydia McLaughlin, who formerly starred on "The Real Housewives of Orange County," fully embraces these titles, and openly shares her faith with the masses. 

In fact, McLaughlin, who left the show in 2018, recently released a book, "JoyFull: 365 Daily Devotions for Women," aimed at helping women get closer to Jesus. The title of the book has much to do with McLaughlin's own life and demeanor. "My time in the spotlight — on 'Housewives,' I was known for being a happy housewife ... being someone [who has] a lot of joy," she told CBN's Faithwire. "I just believe in the joy that comes from the Lord." 

McLaughlin pointed to the Apostle Paul's writings on the subject of joy, paraphrasing Paul's words in Philippians 4. "Paul wrote, 'I have learned to be content,'" she said. "Joy is something that we can learn to do even if it's not something that comes natural to us." McLaughlin acknowledged joy comes more naturally to some than it does others — and explained how life circumstances can complicate people's quest for peace. Yet even in the midst of the storm, she believes it's possible to cling to hope and experience joy. 

"I've had the hardest year," McLaughlin said of her own journey. "My mom's been sick, and even in the midst of hardship and trial, no one can steal my joy because the joy comes from the Lord. And that is everlasting, and that is never changing." Watch McLaughlin discuss how she ended up on "Housewives," how she came to Christ, and why her faith matters to her so deeply.

On this episode of Newsmakers, we go behind three major headlines shaping faith and culture.

Author Randy Kay says he’s seen heaven — and it’s an experience he still gets emotional recounting. It all happened years ago when Kay experienced a medical emergency. He recalled waking up in the middle of the night with a swollen calf after a business trip — something he initially ignored.

“I could barely walk, went for a bike ride of all things, which I should not have done because that exacerbated the problem,” he told Billy Hallowell and Jen Lilley on their “Into the Supernatural” podcast. “I went up the coast of San Diego ... on the bicycle and could barely breathe. My calf was about one and a half times its size.”

“Immediately, my body went still, and, initially, it felt like a tugging at my hospital gown,” he said. “And, later, I would come to realize that that was my spirit leaving my body, and then I became a third party to my body. So, I was looking down this still body I knew that was my body, but that wasn't me.”

Are angels and demons real? Does evil impact the world around us? Billy Hallowell and Raj Nair preview the new CBN documentary "Investigating the Supernatural: Angels and Demons" and discuss the importance of understanding spiritual warfare.

Christopher Gunderson spent the first 16 years of his life unable to eat and in desperate need of medical intervention for survival. But Gunderson, who was born with chronic pseudo-obstruction syndrome — an ailment in which the gastrointestinal tracts can't appropriately absorb food — experienced a miracle that changed everything.

Here's his story.

Author Lee Strobel joins the show to discuss his new documentary "The Case for Miracles" and the evidence behind real-life supernatural encounters.

On this week’s episode of Newsmakers, we go behind the headlines on three of the most talked-about and consequential issues shaping culture today. Actor Kirk Cameron joins us first to respond to the controversy surrounding his recent comments about hell, unpacking what he believes — and why the conversation matters now. Next, detransitioner Chloe Cole and then filmmaker Richie Johns stop by.