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In this special episode of Conversations with Christians Engaged, Bunni Pounds interviews actress, author, producer, and national spokesperson Candace Cameron Bure about America Reads the Bible, a historic event hosted by Christians Engaged, taking place April 18–25, 2026 in Washington, D.C., and livestreamed nationwide.
Candace shares her lifelong love for God’s Word, her journey of faith, and her mission to inspire Americans to engage with Scripture daily. Over 420 national leaders from every sphere of influence will read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and churches, businesses, and families across the country are invited to participate through livestreams, prayer, and discussion.
From celebrating America’s 250th anniversary to fostering revival in homes and communities, this event is designed to make Scripture accessible, engaging, and transformational. Candace and Bunni discuss creative ways to join in, the power of God’s Word in everyday life, and how Christians can be part of this moment in history.
Candace also shares about her newest projects that reflect her heart for faith and family:
Learn more and participate: americareadsthebible.com
Subscribe to Conversations with Christians Engaged for weekly encouragement, biblical worldview insights, and stories of Christians impacting America.
Learn more, support, and get involved:
▪️ christiansengaged.org
▪️ christiansengaged.org/donate
▪️ christiansengaged.org/pledge
#AmericaReadsTheBible #ReadTheBible #America250 #ChristiansEngaged #FaithInAction #CandaceCameronBure
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PODCAST INTRO:
Janelle learned this (addiction affects normal people) and countless other things associated with addiction when it came to light that her daughter Regan was using in order to cope with parental heartbreak, trauma and the overwhelm that it brought to her life.
Janelle’s journey through addiction from the parent’s perspective began with fear, grief, and the heavy stigma that so often hushes families. She grew up believing addiction happened to “other people,” until it shattered her own home. What followed was a crash course in letting go, setting hard boundaries, and grieving the loss of shared memories, milestones (specifically her senior year because it all came to a head at that time)—so she didn’t go to the prom, she did not graduate with her class and nor did she get to enjoy all the ways that celebration culminates after 12 years of schooling. Janette found herself missing the simple joy of “normal.”
A turning point came through community. While Reagan entered a long-term adolescent recovery program in Arizona, Janelle found that this recovery program also had a parent group that met weekly—there is such incredible value in f
Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this episode, host Doris Swift sits down with award-winning author Kristen Hogrefe Parnell for an inspiring conversation about faith, fiction, and trusting God’s unique timeline. Kristen shares her journey from writing young adult suspense to crafting women’s fiction rooted in faith, revealing how her own experiences—like waiting for her husband and navigating motherhood—have shaped her stories and perspective.
We dig into the power of Christian fiction to reflect real-life struggles and joys, Kristen’s advice for aspiring writers on developing characters and honing their craft, and the messy, beautiful reality of unfinished stories—both on the page and in our lives. Plus, Kristen gives us a peek into her Crossroads Suspense series and her upcoming children’s book, “Not Much Lunch,” reminding listeners that “little is much when God is in it.”
Whether you’re an avid reader, a writer-in-progress, or simply someone seeking encouragement in a season of waiting, this episode is full of practical wisdom, hope, and a reminder that God’s plans are always better than our own. Stay tuned to hear how passion, compassion, and conviction intersect in Kristen’s work—and get ready to be uplifted and inspired on your own fierce calling!
00:00 Author Spotlight: Crossroads Suspense
06:02 “Compassion Through Fiction’s Truth”
09:25 Writing Tips for Aspiring Authors
14:08 Faith, Fiction, and Inspiration
18:17 “Daily Faithful Waiting on God”
18:52 “Waiting on God’s Timing”
25:12 “Success Takes Time and Faith”
29:08 “Writing Books That Fill Needs”
30:33 Spiritual Maturity and God’s Timing
35:58 “Abiding in the Vine”
37:39 Finding Faith in Busy Seasons
41:53 Writing Process and Plot Gaps
43:34 “Living in Your Season”
46:59 Marriage Is Like a Dance
49:51 “Jesus: The Only Way”
53:34 Encouragement and Connection Await
You can connect with Valerie and find her books and resources mentioned in the show, here:
kristenhogrefeparnell.com
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