Today’s guests, multi-platinum country star Hunter Hayes and drummer Jen Ledger from the Christian supergroup Skillet, have battled with dark feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. They have each found hope through these feelings by remembering how God views them. Hunter Hayes is a five-time GRAMMY nominee and one of the youngest solo male artists to top the Hot Country Songs chart. Hunter discusses how he grew into a singer/songwriter and how he works out the answers to hard questions through his songs, like his latest single “Dear God.” Hunter is candid about his insecurities; despite his monumental success at such a young age, he deals with feelings of not being good enough. Over the last ten years, Jen Ledger has been the drummer for Skillet as they’ve been nominated for GRAMMYs and played live for hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. Jen trusted God as He opened doors for her career, even when she didn’t believe in herself. Now she is releasing her first solo record that features a very personal song called “Not Dead Yet” that Jen describes as a song borne from a time when struggled with and battled internal fear and anxiety.

You Are Good Enough: Hunter Hayes and Jen Ledger Find Their Value In Christ

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In all the moments of our lives, whether we’re dealing with depression or anxiety, or navigating the responsibilities of taking care of other people, or simply trying to make our days have more depth and meaning, our connection to others is key to our well being. Through prayer, intentionality, and consideration, we can strengthen that cord that ties us to others and build relationships that become a lifeline when things get hard. This week, we're joined by Dansby Swanson, a major league baseball player for the Chicago Cubs. Dansby shares the ups and downs of being a major league baseball player, including the stress and anxiety that comes with the job–and how his connections to his family, caring coaches, friends, and to God, made all the difference in getting a handle on his depression.  Later in the episode, we'll hear from John Inazu, a professor of law and religion, who discusses how we can foster healthier conversations around challenging topics, creating understanding and connection even with those who disagree with us.  Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview:  Jordan Davis Upcoming interview: Molly Stillman  Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org   Dansby Swanson Chicago Cubs Vanderbilt Atlanta Braves   John Inazu  Washington University  ROTC scholarship   Interview Quotes: “God created us to live in community with one another, because there's such a level of His love and connection that comes with that.” - Dansby Swanson  “God does a lot of things through people for me, and I'm just so grateful that I'm able to keep that perspective, to just trust in Him and His plan, and just be able to realize what He's done for me along the way.” - Dansby Swanson “Our identity is secure in Christ and what He did for us and no matter how great we are, we're still never going to be perfect. Jesus is the one that lived a perfect life so that He could sacrifice Himself for our shortcomings.” - Dansby Swanson “I think the way we respond to hostility or adversaries, even if we don't win the point, we might actually still model a kind of relationship or model the fruits of the spirit in a way that will make that other person pause.” - John Inazu “I think we are formed by the people around us most deeply when we give them permission and find the time to sit with conversation and listen and pause.” - John Inazu  “There will be times in life and roles that you have where you're not equipped yet to jump into that hard conversation. Prayer has to be the anchor of this; that you wake up and you thank God for the part that you get to play in His story, and then you ask for more of the fruits of the spirit.” - John Inazu  ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter  Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok

The Restorative Power of Connection: Dansby Swanson and John Inazu

Content warning: This episode contains mature content and may not be suitable for all listeners. When we face darkness in our lives that threatens to overwhelm us, it can feel like it’s harder and harder to find any light. But in  Hebrews 6:19, it says “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” That anchor is Jesus—and He is waiting to hear our cares and concerns, and is present to be that Rock we can cling to in every trial we encounter.  This week, our guests talk about how they turned to Jesus when they started to lose hope in humanity. Talk show host and author Tamron Hall had periods in her life where her job took a toll on her mental health, and when she asked God to help her see the good in humanity again, she was able to find a renewed passion for helping others. LaRae Quy, a former FBI agent and spokesperson, faced the harsher side of humanity during her twenty years as an undercover and counterintelligence agent. Hearkening back to the lessons of patience and perseverance she learned growing up on a Wyoming ranch, she reached out to God to bring peace to her mind, which was haunted by the hurts she had seen perpetrated on so many victims in the cases she covered.  Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview:  Jay Hewitt Upcoming interview: Dansby Swanson  Hebrews 6:19 NIV Thank you to our sponsors: www.give.cru.org | BetterHelp.com/JesusCalling   Tamron Hall   Jordan Manning series Watch Where They Hide Deadline Crime  Exodus www.tamronhallshow.com   LaRae Quy  Romans 5:3 NIV www.laeraequy.com   Interview Quotes: “There's no school that can prepare you for a parent handing you the kindergarten photo of their child who's just been found dead and looking to you for comfort, but also believe that you are going to care for them while telling their story and not use it as an opportunity just to get people to watch TV.” - Tamron Hall “I lost my dream job before the public nationally, but I knew it was in God's hands, and I knew that I didn't need to do anything other than find peace with it and find my lane.” - Tamron Hall  “The win is in the loss. Faith is in the challenge. The uncertainty is supposed to bolster the faith and the belief that it is going to happen in God's time.” - Tamron Hall “When I'm on set, before I walk out of the doors of the show, I ask God to guide me in my words and let me be a comfort if I need to be that for someone, allow me to bring a smile to someone's face if that's what they need.” - Tamron Hall  “God opened the door and I have no doubt it was the right path for me, because the values of the FBI closely aligned with the values I developed on that Wyoming ranch.” - LaRae Quy  “We need to have faith in something. We need to find value somewhere. It's how we psychologically survive and thrive.” - LaRae Quy “Through prayer and self-awareness, we get to the truth of who we really are, and the journey of self-discovery can be hard because we’re asked to look at the good, the bad, and the ugly. It doesn't do any good to try to hide all of that from God, because God knows us better than we know ourselves.” - LaRae Quy “Anytime we connect with God, it brings hope back into our lives. Without hope, we cannot be brave.” - LaRae Quy  ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter  Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok

Losing Hope? Turn to God: Tamron Hall & LaRae Quy

The Bible reminds us over and over what a gift from God children are. As parents, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the different worries when it comes to raising a child: Are they healthy? Are they happy? Are they kind to other people? One essential element of parenting that sets a great foundation for a child’s well-being is modeling a spiritually healthy life for our kids, so that they know there’s a God who cares for them, and listens when they pray. This week, we get to hear from three experts on how we can mentally and spiritually nurture the young minds of tomorrow. Dr. Daniel Amen is the founder of Amen Clinics, and a leading expert in brain health and mental health. Charles Fay, PhD, is an nationally recognized author and president of the Love and Logic Institute, which joined Amen Clinics in 2020, offering practical solutions for educators, mental health professionals, and parents dealing with challenging behaviors in youth. Melina Luna Smith is the Executive Director of Storymakers NYC, who works with parents to reach their children through storytelling, and gives tips on how to incorporate story into the everyday life as a family, as a way to connect and teach faith values as well.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Dr. Meg Meeker Upcoming interview: Tamron Hall Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org Jesus Calling for Easter   Dr. Daniel Amen  Amen Clinics Charles Fay, PhD Love and Logic Institute  Brain SPECT Imaging active listening  Raising Mentally Strong Kids   Melina Luna Smith Storymakers NYC www.storymakersnyc.com   Interview Quotes: “The good habits that our kids have to start with are our good habits.” - Dr. Charles Fay, Ph.D. “Write down the mistakes you hope and pray that your kids make.” - Dr. Charles Fay, Ph.D.  “When do we really have the closest, deepest faith encounter with our Lord? Is it when things have gone really well and we've made really good decisions, or is it maybe when we've exercised some free will and we haven't made such a good decision, and then we look up and we say, ‘Oh, please, Lord, I know that I can trust you’? That’s a faith exercise. We all need those.’” Dr. Charles Fay, Ph.D. “If you want to give your child the greatest gift, which is the gift of faith, you need to work on your relationship with God, of course, but also with your kids.” - Dr. Daniel Amen, MD  “When [children] connect with us, they put our values inside of their heart, and those values travel around with them.” - Dr. Charles Fay, Ph.D.  “We want kids to be engaged with [Bible stories], and we really want them to walk away with information and an experience that is meaningful and that is going to shape and form them, so that they know that God is with them, for them, now and always.” - Melina Luna Smith  “God is the ultimate story maker, and we are story makers too.” - Melina Luna Smith “Just as Jesus would always bring the parables to the listeners, He was drawing a story. He was drawing a picture of what was heavenly truth for us to hear.” - Melina Luna Smith  ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter  Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok

Tapping Into Healthy Mental and Spiritual Habits for Our Families: Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Charles Fay & Melina Luna Smith

On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we hear from musician Colton Dixon. From his American Idol days to the unexpected challenges in the music industry, Colton shares how his unwavering faith in God has served as his guiding light through every circumstance–enabling him to be a light to others facing their own storms.   Guest’s Links Colton’s Facebook: @ColtonDixonMusic Colton’s Twitter: @ColtonDixon Colton’s Instagram: @ColtonDixonMusic ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter  Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website TikTok   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

[JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] Praying Through Life’s Storms: Colton Dixon

Sometimes, our dreams seem so far-fetched that even we don’t believe we’ll ever achieve them. But in  Romans 12:2, it says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” When we train ourselves to look for the good, to see God’s opportunities around every corner, we’ll find that the life of our dreams isn’t so far away after all.  As we celebrate our 400th episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, we’ll hear from Savannah Guthrie and John Tesh, who both had unconventional and unexpected breakthroughs into television. Savannah, co-anchor of the Today Show on NBC, shares how her greatest dream of being in journalism came only when she made peace with leaving it behind. Musician and former host of Entertainment Tonight John Tesh shares about the challenging road to his career in television; including being expelled from college to living in a tent, wondering if he’d ever have a career in any kind of media. Until one night, during a desperate prayer to God, he got the answers he was looking for.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview:  Ainsley Earhardt Upcoming interview: Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Charles Fay   Jesus Calling for Easter  Romans 12:2 NIV Savannah Guthrie  Today Show on NBC Michael Feldman  Down Syndrome LSAT Court TV Hoda Kotb  Psalm 121:1-2 NIV  Mostly What God Does   John Tesh Entertainment Tonight  Juilliard School The Dave Clark Five  The Beatles Jimi Hendrix  NC State   Matthew 6:9-13 NIV Mary Hart The Moody Blues Red Rocks  Philippians 1:21-26 NIV The Purpose Driven Life www.tesh.com   ***Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org   Interview Quotes: “When you get really discouraged about the world and the state of the world, for me that really indicates that you could benefit from a different perspective and a higher perspective. And that's why my faith is so important to me.” - Savannah Guthrie  “In this business, we cover so many sad stories and you don't want to get a thick skin. I don't want to get a thick skin. I don't ever want my heart to be hard and cold toward the suffering that we sometimes talk about or witness firsthand. It's okay to show that you have a heart and that you care.” - Savannah Guthrie  “When we are consumed by the grief of the world, our own griefs, we are usually looking inward, and sometimes we need to look up and out for help, for help coming on the horizon, for perspective, for sunshine, for a belief that not only is help on the way, but help is coming from God Himself, who is all-powerful and all-seeing and has a perspective that I cannot possibly have as a human being.” - Savannah Guthrie  “The only prayer that I could remember was the Lord's Prayer. And I would pray that prayer and I would just ask God to save me. And I woke up in the middle of the night, it was like 2:00 in the morning. And the answer came to me, it was basically God saying, ‘Do something.’” - John Tesh  “In the Bible, there was never a promise that you were instantly going to be happy, and that you were instantly going to be devoid of any of any hardships. You understand that there's really only one choice, that is to tough it out, shoulder to shoulder with God, and get through it. And when you do get through it, it's an amazing place to be.“ - John Tesh  ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter  Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok

You Are Good Enough: Hunter Hayes and Jen Ledger Find Their Value In Christ

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