When Faith Meets Suffering | Finding Hope in Life’s Hardest Seasons

Making the Bible Come Alive with Pastor John Thomason

Why does the Bible sometimes feel difficult to connect with—and how can it become real and meaningful in everyday life? This week on Upstream, Joy sits down with John Thomason of Buckeye Christian Church to talk about practical ways to engage with Scripture, grow deeper in faith, and experience God’s Word in a fresh way. Whether you’ve read the Bible for years or are just getting started, this conversation will encourage you to see the Bible not as a chore, but as a living message that still speaks today.  A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

When Faith Meets Suffering | Finding Hope in Life’s Hardest Seasons

Why does suffering happen—and how do we keep our faith when life hurts? On this episode of Upstream, Joy sits down with Joannie DeBrito from Focus on the Family to talk about the many forms suffering can take, from grief and loss to anxiety, disappointment, and seasons of uncertainty. Together, they explore practical ways to navigate pain, how faith can shape our response in difficult moments, and why hope is still possible even when life feels overwhelming. If you or someone you love is walking through a hard season, this conversation offers encouragement, perspective, and reminders that you are not alone. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

A Cancer Diagnosis: How Life Changes Part 2

Navigating a parent’s cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult journeys a family can face—especially when that parent is your mom. In this episode of the Upstream Podcast, Joy talks with Ashley Chickerella from Take Heart Cancer Community about her personal experience walking through her mom’s cancer journey. Ashley shares what it was like from diagnosis to treatment, the emotional highs and lows, and how faith, support, and community played a crucial role along the way. To connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/ A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

Raising Kids in an AI World

AI is everywhere—and our kids are growing up with it faster than we can keep up. Joy sits down with Emily Washburn to talk about how parents can navigate Artificial Intelligence with their children in healthy, thoughtful ways. From understanding the risks to setting boundaries and having meaningful conversations, this episode equips parents to guide their kids with confidence, wisdom, and intention in an AI-driven world. Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/ A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

Navigating a Distant Relationship with Your Child

When a relationship with your child starts to feel distant, the pain can be overwhelming and the questions endless. Where did things go wrong? How do you reach out without pushing them further away? And is there hope for healing? In this episode of the Upstream Podcast, Joy sits down with Glenn Leutchens from Focus on the Family to talk honestly about navigating strained or distant relationships with your child. Together, they explore what parents can do when communication breaks down, how to respond with grace instead of fear, and why patience, humility, and prayer matter more than having all the right answers. Whether your child has emotionally pulled away, set firm boundaries, or completely cut off communication, this conversation offers encouragement, biblical wisdom, and practical next steps for parents who are longing for restoration but don’t know where to begin. If you’re carrying the weight of a broken or distant relationship with your child, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone—and that hope is still possible. Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/ A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!