The Heidi St. John Podcast

Traditional church attendance is a huge part of the Christian family life.  Should I go to a church with whom I disagree?  What is okay to disagree with?  Is youth group necessary for my teens?  And by the way, how am I currently feeling about Target?  These are good questions, and certainly worth discussing!  Join us, and we’ll talk about these issues and how we determine the answer!

Family secrets are obviously secrets because they are difficult situations, but leaving difficulties in the dark is one of the worst things we can do. I talk with my guest today about how we can get those secrets out in the open and begin to heal.  Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A women’s fiction novelist, Beth’s first novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, releases May 2018. Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. A November Bride was part of the Year of Wedding series by Zondervan. Having authored nine contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and also enjoys speaking to writers’ groups and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories. Connect with Beth here.

We have access to the Lord of heaven’s armies through a simple practice we call prayer.  Our habit of boldness in prayer should be the marker of a strong believer.  We’re finding ourselves in an increasingly secularized culture, and we’re criticized by those who have rejected the authority of the gospel. Yet we are not powerless! We have the power of the Holy Spirit and access to Him through the simplicity of prayer. Let’s talk about why we should approach the throne with confidence! Scriptures Psalm 119 James 1:6 Matthew 9:28-30 Acts 9 Acts 12 Luke 4:12 Deuteronomy 6:16 How Successful People Lead by John Maxwell Essential Oils Class – January 6-12, join us!  

Many couples today have been robbed of intimacy through the lie and addiction of pornography. Today, my friend Sheila is back on the podcast today to talk honestly about the effects of porn and the promise of healing that Jesus Christ offers. Don’t miss this important conversation, which includes links to free resources to help you in hope, healing and protection against the additive power of pornography. Hope After Porn, a Free E-book from Covenant Eyes Links from the Show Top 10 Effects of Porn on Your Brain & Your Marriage 10 Things to Know about Porn and Your Family Sheila Wray Gregoire is a popular speaker, marriage blogger, and the author of eight books, including The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex. She loves encouraging women in their relationships, both with God and with their husbands, children, and friends. Her passion is for marriage, and she and her husband Keith speak together at marriage outreaches and at FamilyLife Canada marriage conferences. Sheila believes in authenticity, and gives real solutions to the very real and messy problems women and couples can face. You can usually find her in Belleville, Ontario, where she’s constantly texting her two young adult daughters and knitting. Preferably simultaneously.

I’m excited to have my friend, author and speaker Sheila Gregoire on the show today! We’ll be talking about how to take the “awkward” out of talking about sex and why it’s so important to teach our daughters about God’s beautiful design for sex and for their bodies. Don’t miss this important conversation!  Includes a link to a brand-new e-course called “The Whole Story” which has been designed to help you talk to your daughter about tender topics like body development and hygiene etc.  This podcast is rated “M” for mothers!  I know you’ll be encouraged. Sheila Wray Gregoire is a popular speaker, marriage blogger, and the author of eight books, including The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex. She loves encouraging women in their relationships, both with God and with their husbands, children, and friends. Her passion is for marriage, and she and her husband Keith speak together at marriage outreaches and at FamilyLife Canada marriage conferences. Sheila believes in authenticity, and gives real solutions to the very real and messy problems women and couples can face. You can usually find her in Belleville, Ontario, where she’s constantly texting her two young adult daughters and knitting. Preferably simultaneously. Links from the Show The Whole Story Course: Use coupon code BUSYMOM to get $30 off the lifetime VIP version! And if YOU’RE feeling awkward about sex, then you need The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex. More from Sheila and Heidi: Who Stole My Sex Drive? Part 1 and Part 2

It’s easy to make excuses for why we don’t spend time in prayer and the study of God’s Word … and those excuses are hurting us in profound ways. Join me today as I discuss the impact “reactive Christianity” is having on the Church and what we can to do change the tide. God wants His children to walk in His victory!  

It is so tempting to live locked  in a cage of shame if you have had an abortion, but friend, please listen to this message of hope from Tricia today! There is forgiveness in Christ and  freedom from the lies the devil is constantly whispering in your ear.  You will be encouraged! Tricia Goyer is a prolific author of more than seventy books. She is a homeschooling mom of ten, grandmother of four, and wife to John. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Center in Kalispell, Montana and now leads a teen mom support group in Little Rock, Arkansas. Listen to another podcast with Tricia: The Beauty of Foster Care and Adoption Links from the Show See Tricia’s book, Walk it Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time here! Bible study for post-abortive women More from Tricia: God is Not Punishing You For Your Past Sins How Telling Someone About My Abortion Freed My Soul

I go to a church where there is a strong focus on foster care and adoption, which is no surprise, because God wrote about it in the Bible. I brought my good friend Tricia Goyer on today to talk about her journey from a family of three to a family of ten. You won’t want to miss the story of how God built their family! Tricia Goyer is a prolific author of more than seventy books. She is a homeschooling mom of ten, grandmother of four, and wife to John. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Center in Kalispell, Montana and now leads a teen mom support group in Little Rock, Arkansas. More on Heidi’s Podcast from Tricia: Hope and Healing for Post-Abortive Mothers See Tricia’s book, Walk it Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time here! Links from the Show Focus on the Family CAFO On Tricia’s Blog: Adoption He Said/She Said How to Adopt for (Almost) Free Interview with Tricia’s daughter about being adopted from foster care

We were told to not talk about politics and religion, but now we’re afraid to speak the truth and are being bullied by a liberal agenda because we won’t get off the bench and fight the battle. Listen in and let’s talk about why we must talk about the hard things.

As our kids get older, it feels like we have to choose between being their friend or being their authority, but maybe I don’t have to choose?  My friend Kathy has some thoughts about this, and is sharing how to parent our kids now, so we can be their friend later. Dr. Kathy Koch (“cook”), the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids, Inc., based in Fort Worth, TX, has influenced thousands of parents, teachers, and children in 30 countries through keynote messages, seminars, chapels, and other events. She is a featured speaker for the Great Homeschool Conventions and a regular presenter for Care Net, Summit Ministries, and other organizations. She speaks regularly at schools, churches, and pregnancy resource centers. She is also a popular guest on Focus on the Family radio and other radio talk-shows. Kirk Cameron chose her as the technology expert to interview in his 2018 movie, Connect: Real Help for Parenting Kids in a Social Media World. She has authored six books including Screens and Teens and 8 Great Smarts. Dr. Kathy earned a Ph.D. in reading and educational psychology from Purdue University. She was a tenured associate professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a teacher of second graders, a middle school coach, and a school board member before becoming a full-time conference and keynote speaker in 1991. She has loved Jesus for years and her faith and desire to serve and glorify God is the foundation of her ministry.