In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, pastor and biblical counselor Rick Witmer joins us to talk about anxiety in children — how it shows up and how parents can shepherd fearful hearts with biblical truth. Rather than offering surface coping techniques, Rick points us to something deeper: anchoring children in the character and promises of God.

This episode offers biblical clarity, practical guidance, and gospel-rooted hope for parents, counselors, and churches seeking to shepherd anxious children with wisdom and compassion.

The episode unpacks:

1. Recognizing how fear and anxiety commonly appear in children
2. Understanding anxiety as both a heart and embodied struggle
3. Biblical versus cultural approaches to childhood anxiety
4. Anchoring fearful hearts in God’s sovereignty, goodness, and care
5. Practical ways parents can shepherd anxious children
6. Modeling trust in God while walking through fear together
7. Using Scripture to cultivate lasting peace rather than temporary relief

Mentioned Resources:

Walking with God When I'm Afraid: 30 Biblical Anchors for Anxious Young Hearts

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Shannon K. McCoy welcomes Richard and Deborah Burton, authors of When Death Does You Part, to discuss their deeply personal experiences with losing a spouse and navigating widowhood. They share how God's grace and promises helped them through their grief, leading to their eventual remarriage. The Burtons offer practical advice for those grieving, highlight the importance of community support, and discuss the emotional complexities of moving forward while honoring deceased spouses. Their conversation centers around the importance of feeding the mind with God's Word, and the hope of a God who redeems all things.

This episode offers biblical clarity, compassionate counsel, and gospel-rooted hope for widows, widowers, counselors, and churches seeking to walk wisely with those who grieve.

The episode unpacks:

1. Walking through grief after the loss of a spouse
2. Trusting God’s sovereignty in seasons of deep suffering
3. The role of Scripture in shaping the heart during grief
4. Common misconceptions about widowhood
5. The importance of community and pastoral care
6. Counseling and supporting grieving believers
7. Remarriage after loss and God’s redemptive purposes

Grab a copy: When Death Does You Part: A Biblically Informed Guide through Widowhood and Remarriage

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Shannon Kay McCoy sits down with Dr. Stanley Gale to explore how the book of Ecclesiastes speaks honestly to life “under the sun” while directing us to rest in God’s sovereign care.

Throughout the conversation, Gale highlights how themes like vanity, joy, work, grief, and the fear of the Lord shape a faithful, grounded life. Ecclesiastes teaches us to embrace our creaturely limits, reject idolatry, and enjoy God’s good gifts without depending on them for ultimate meaning.

This episode is especially helpful for pastors, counselors, and everyday Christians seeking biblical wisdom for navigating hardship with humility and hope.

1. What “life under the sun” really means
2. Why embracing human limitations leads to rest and wisdom
3. How the fear of the Lord anchors emotional and spiritual stability
4. How Ecclesiastes speaks to suffering, grief, and unmet expectations
5. How enjoyment of life fits within a God-centered worldview
6. How Ecclesiastes ultimately points us to Christ and eternal hope

Under the Sun: Redemptive Reality in the Book of Ecclesiastes by Stan Gale

Also by Stan Gale: God's Good News-The Gospel for Life

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Shannon K. McCoy sits down with Jon Scurtu, ACBC-certified biblical counselor, pastor at Logos Baptist Ministries, and author of Growing Out of Sin and Into Holiness, to unpack the doctrine of sanctification.

Jon helps listeners move beyond common extremes of either self-effort or passivity, grounding growth in holiness in the believer’s union with Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Rather than presenting sanctification as self-improvement, this conversation reframes it as a grace-driven process that unfolds through Scripture, prayer, community, and suffering.

Throughout the episode, listeners are reminded that sanctification ultimately flows from delight in Christ, not mere duty.

This conversation unpacks:

1. What sanctification is—and why it is often misunderstood
2. How union with Christ produces lasting growth
3. The balance between God’s work and our active effort in the Christian life-
4. The empowering role of the Holy Spirit in everyday obedience
5. Why identity in Christ must precede effort and behavior change
6. How Scripture, prayer, community, and faithful routines function as God’s means of grace
7. The role of suffering and trials in producing spiritual maturity

Growing out of Sin and into Holiness by Jon Scurtu

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, our host, Shannon Kay McCoy, speaks with biblical counselor, mother, and author Johanna Presley to explore how God’s Word speaks hope and clarity into autism in children.

Drawing from both personal experience and biblical counseling practice, Johanna helps listeners understand autism through a gospel-centered lens—one that points us to a framework rooted in biblical identity, discernment, and the sufficiency of Scripture. She also equips listeners with practical ways to share the gospel with children with autistic traits.

This conversation is especially encouraging for parents, counselors, and church members who desire to walk more faithfully alongside families affected by autism.

This conversation unpacks:

1. Creative and accessible ways to communicate the gospel to children with autistic traits
2. How biblical counseling differs from secular counseling models when addressing autism
3. Unique challenges families with members with autistic traits face
4. Encouragement and practical help for parents, biblical counselors, and church members
5. Biblical identity rooted in Christ, not a diagnosis

Resources to equip you:

1. Biblical Counseling and Autism in Children by Johanna Pressley
2. Critical Issues in Biblical Counseling Series— Ernie Baker, Consulting Editor
3. Biblical Counseling and Common Grace by Heath Lambert
4. Biblical Counseling and Mental Disorder Diagnosis by Jenn Chen
5. Biblical Counseling and They Psychologies by Ernie Baker

We are so excited to announce our 10 Days of Giving with Sufficiency of Scriptures! During the next 10 days, you can enjoy 20% off all our resources, and we will match that with a 20% donation to S.O.S. Ministries. This is an amazing opportunity to resource yourself with gospel-centered, heart-focused content while supporting S.O.S. Ministries and their vision to raise faithful believers in Uganda. Running from now to December 15!

You can browse our resources here

You can donate directly to S.O.S. Ministries here

In this episode, author Carol Trahan shares her personal journey through deep sorrow, marked by personal loss, unanswered prayers, and overwhelming despair. The discussion navigates the pain of depression from a biblical perspective and how God can use sorrow to create a ministry of comfort. Carol recounts her experience of loss, her husband's death, and the challenges of raising her children as a single mother. She emphasizes the importance of embracing God's sovereignty, finding hope through scripture, and understanding sorrow as a tool that God uses for His glory. This episode is filled with hope and encouragement for anyone navigating the depths of depression and seeking God's comfort and purpose through it.

Recommended Resources:

Help! I'm Depressed by Carol Trahan

Help! I'm a Single Mom by Carol Trahan

Join us for our 10 days of giving by purchasing any of our resources at 20% off!

Learn more about S.O.S Ministries here and donate directly here

In this hope-filled conversation, our host Shannon welcomes author and biblical counselor Molly Bertles to address a topic rarely talked about: biblical counsel for women struggling with masturbation. Molly shares her story, explains why this matters deeply in the church, and offers gospel-centered help and encouragement to women who feel isolated by shame—along with specific verses and action steps to fight against this sin.

Listeners will hear about:

1. What masturbation is and why women battle it too
2. The dangers of secrecy and shame in sexual sin
3. Molly’s testimony of struggling with masturbation
4. How the gospel brings freedom, forgiveness, and ongoing transformation
5. Practical steps for women feeling stuck in this life-dominating sin

Recommended Resources:

You Are Not Alone by Molly Bertles

Harvest USA Transforming Love Free Course

Dig Deeper: Discussion Questions

1. How does defining masturbation as “solo sex” help us understand why it falls outside God’s design?
2. What lies or false beliefs tend to fuel ongoing patterns of sexual sin in women?
3. How would knowing your relationship with God is not based on performance comfort and strengthen you to fight against this sexual sin?
4. How does knowing “You are not alone” change the way you fight masturbation?
5. What specific comforts can you find in Jesus’ death to pursue holiness and purity?
6. What does compassionate, wise accountability look like in situations like these?
7. Why is simply trying to “stop the behavior” ineffective without addressing the heart?
8. Discuss the idea of “broken cisterns” (Jeremiah 2:13) — what promises does sin make that it can’t deliver on?

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo chats with author Matt Collier about his mini-book, 'Help! I Want My Life to Count.' Matt encourages teens to live for eternity, and use their skills and vocation to serve the Lord. He highlights the importance of community in making big life decisions, and the value of being faithful over fruitful. They discuss the difference between worldly success and true purpose, and practical steps for living for God's glory. Collier also shares insights from Psalm 90 and talks about his work with The Wilds and Camps Abroad.

00:52 Introducing to Matt Collier

01:25 Teen Perspectives on Life and Success

05:49 Living for God's Glory: Practical Insights

15:32 Faithfulness vs. Fruitfulness

25:20 The Wilds and Camps Abroad: Impacting Youth Globally

27:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources

Help! I Want My Life to Count by Matt Collier

Check Out Our LifeLine for Teens Mini-book Series

Check Out Our Lifeline Mini-book Series

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Production Note: Due to technical difficulties, audio quality is lower than usual. Thank you for listening despite the imperfections!

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo discusses the topic of teens and authority with guest Chris Anastos, author of 'Help! How Do I Respond To Authority?'. The discussion emphasizes the significant impact a good response to authority can have on others, including pointing them to Christ. Chris shares insights on the inherent blessing of authority as part of God's good plan, and how even bad authorities can serve God's purpose in His sovereign plan. The conversation highlights how Christians, especially teens, can respond to authority in ways that enhance their testimony and influence others for Christ. He also shares the importance of following Christ's example, as seen in his perfect submission to authority.

00:23 Discussing Teens and Authority with Chris Anastos

02:48 Biblical Perspective on Authority

03:51 Practical Ways Teens Can Influence Others

09:31 Challenges in Communicating Authority to Teens

11:33 Understanding Hierarchies and Responding to Bad Authority

14:20 The Importance of a Heart Attitude and the Local Church

20:24 Chris Anastos' Personal Testimony and Final Thoughts

Resources

Help! How Do I Respond to Authority?

Check Out Our LifeLine for Teens Mini-book Series

Check Out Our Lifeline Mini-book Series

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