Morning Conversation: MyBridge Radio

161- Dr. Matthew Spalding: We Still Hold These Truths 30.06.2026 30min

As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it's a good time to ask a simple question: Why does a document written nearly two and a half centuries ago still matter today? In this conversation, Dr. Matthew Spalding of Hillsdale College helps us look beyond the familiar phrases and historical events to uncover the ideas that have shaped the American experiment from the beginning. Together, we explore the enduring truths found in the Declaration, why generations of leaders have returned to it in moments of national challenge, and what it can still teach us about freedom, equality, self-government, and human dignity.We also discuss the often-overlooked role of faith and providence in America's founding, why the founders believed these principles were rooted in something bigger than politics, and what the upcoming America 250 celebration can mean for our nation today. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a student of civics, or simply someone who wants to better understand the ideas that have influenced the United States for 250 years, this conversation offers thoughtful insight into America's past, present, and future—and why those truths are still worth revisiting.

160 - Dr. Bob Paul: Different by Design 23.06.2026 33min

Why do the differences that first attracted us to someone often become the very things that frustrate us later? In this conversation, Dr. Bob Paul of Focus on the Family's Marriage Institute explores one of the most common challenges couples face: learning how to navigate their differences. Drawing from decades of counseling experience, Bob explains why "irreconcilable differences" are rarely the real problem and how healthy marriages learn to value, rather than fight against, the unique ways God has created each spouse.Along the way, we talk about communication, prayer, conflict, emotional connection, and what it means to build a marriage that both people genuinely love. Bob shares practical wisdom on everything from knowing when your spouse wants empathy instead of solutions to discovering how God can use differences to create greater unity. Whether your marriage is thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers encouragement, hope, and practical tools for building stronger relationships and growing closer together.

158 - Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave: The Truest Thing About You 10.06.2026 35min

For years, Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave sang songs about God's faithfulness, hope, and goodness. Then life brought a season he never expected. After losing his father, mother, and brother within just a few years, Mike found himself walking through some of the deepest grief of his life. In this honest and deeply personal conversation, he shares what it looks like to hold on to God's goodness when your heart is broken, why suffering has reshaped his understanding of worship, and how Jesus has met him in the middle of pain in ways he never could have imagined.Along the way, Mike opens up about the lasting impact of his brother Jay's life and faith, the hope of heaven, the lies we often believe about ourselves, and what it means to truly care for people who are hurting. This conversation is filled with vulnerability, wisdom, and Gospel hope for anyone walking through loss, carrying disappointment, or simply wondering where God is in the middle of difficult seasons. If you've ever needed a reminder that God's presence is real even when life hurts, this conversation is for you.

156 - Ron Brown: A Mission Bigger Than the Game 28.05.2026 32min

For more than 30 years, Ron Brown has used the platform of college football to point people toward Jesus. Known by many as a “missionary to the state of Nebraska,” Coach Brown joins us for a conversation that goes far beyond football as he reflects on faith, discipleship, spiritual battles, and the calling God placed on his life decades ago to stay rooted in Nebraska. Along the way, he opens up about mentoring young athletes in today’s changing culture, what he’s seeing spiritually in this generation, and why he still believes the Gospel is the greatest message he can carry into locker rooms, churches, camps, and communities across the state.This conversation also takes an honest and challenging look at the culture surrounding youth sports and the pressure many families feel to chase scholarships, exposure, and success at all costs. Ron shares wisdom for parents trying to keep faith and family at the center, reminds us why worldly definitions of success often fall short, and encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective in a world full of distractions.

155 - Dr. Kathy Koch: Loving Your Adult Children Well 26.05.2026 35min

For many parents, the transition into adulthood can bring unexpected grief, tension, distance, and questions they never anticipated facing. In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Dr. Kathy Koch talks about relationships with adult children — from boundaries and communication to parenting regrets, family conflict, faith struggles, and learning how to love well in a new season of life. Drawing from her book, Resolve Conflict and Find Peace and Hope with Adult Children: Strategies and Conversations that Work, Dr. Kathy offers practical wisdom and deep encouragement for parents who want healthier relationships without controlling outcomes.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Kathy shares why it’s important to move from “parenting” to guiding and supporting, how humility and listening can rebuild trust, and why hope ultimately has to be rooted in God rather than our children’s choices. Whether your relationship with your adult child is thriving, strained, or somewhere in between, this episode is full of grace, perspective, and reminders that God is still present in the middle of complicated family dynamics.For more information on Kathy Koch’s latest book: https://www.amazon.com/Resolve-Conflict-Peace-Adult-Children/dp/0802440754

154 - Tasha Layton: Trusting God In The Waiting 05.05.2026 38min

This conversation with Tasha Layton goes far beyond music. Tasha shares her journey of growing up in church, walking through deep hurt, and ultimately discovering that even in her searching, God was pursuing her. It’s an honest look at faith that isn’t always neat—where questions, pain, and healing all have a place.She steps into deeply personal territory as Tasha opens up about her journey through infertility, the waiting that stretched her faith, and the unexpected ways God showed up. Along the way, she reflects on motherhood, grief, and what it looks like to trust God when life doesn’t unfold the way you hoped. This conversation is full of perspective, hope, and a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, God is good—and we’re invited to trust Him, even when we don’t fully understand.

153 - Jon Acuff - The Growing Is in the Going 29.04.2026 31min

Heath sits down with Jon Acuff to talk about something nearly all of us wrestle with— procrastination— and what it reveals about our fears, our calling, and the way we see ourselves. Along the way, the author of Procrastination Proof unpacks how procrastination often shows up as a “solution” to avoid fear, failure, or disappointment…even when it keeps us from stepping into what God has placed in us.Explore what it looks like to move forward with courage, even when you don’t have the full map—trusting that “the growing is in the going.” You’ll hear practical, doable ideas like “auditioning” goals, making tomorrow easier today, and learning to protect your time and attention in a world full of distractions. This conversation points back to a deeper truth: it’s not too late, your gifts matter, and God is still at work in your story—right where you are today.Link to Jon’s book: https://jonacuff.com/procrastination-proof

152 - ENCORE - - Annie F. Downs 21.04.2026 29min

Annie F. Downs brings her signature blend of joy and depth to this conversation—because when Annie talks about faith, it’s never dull. She shares stories of how God meets us in both the laughter and the loneliness, the beauty and the breaking. From her “That Sounds Fun” perspective, Annie reminds us that life with God isn’t just about surviving—it’s about noticing His goodness in every season, even the hard ones.She opens up about singleness, creating safe spaces for honesty, and learning to give and rest with open hands. Whether she’s talking about her Single Purpose League community, her latest children’s book Where Did TJ Go?, or the ways God keeps surprising her, Annie invites us into a deeper trust — one that reminds us that every story, even the hard ones, can reveal His goodness.

151 - Darren Mulligan (We Are Messengers): An Honest Faith in a Broken World 14.04.2026 35min

What does it look like to follow Jesus honestly… even when your story is messy? In this episode, Heath sits down with Darren Mulligan of We Are Messengers for a conversation about faith that doesn’t pretend, struggles that don’t disqualify you, and the grace of God that meets you right where you are. Darren shares openly from his own journey—how God met him in broken places and continues to shape his life, his family, and his music.This conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to clean yourself up before coming to God—you just have to come. Darren talks about surrender, identity, and what it means to live with authenticity in your relationship with Jesus. If you’ve ever felt like your past, your doubts, or your struggles make you “less than,” this conversation will encourage you with the truth that God is still at work—and He’s not finished with your story.

150 - Lisa Anderson: Trusting God With What Comes Next 26.03.2026 35min

What does it look like to trust God when life doesn’t unfold the way you expected? In this episode, Heath talks with Lisa Anderson about faith, singleness, relationships, and learning to take the next step when the future feels uncertain. Drawing from years of walking alongside young adults, Lisa shares honest insights about pursuing marriage with intention, embracing the purpose of singleness, and building meaningful friendships that help shape our faith.Lisa also reflects on what she’s seeing in today’s generation of young adults—many of whom are navigating big decisions about career, calling, and relationships while learning to trust God’s goodness in the process. Along the way, she offers encouragement for anyone feeling stuck between where they are and where they hope life will go. If you’ve ever wondered how to faithfully follow God one step at a time, this conversation will remind you that the safest place to be is exactly where He is leading.

149 - Amber Albee Swenson: The Messy Beauty of Real Friendship 17.03.2026 23min

Friendship is something most of us long for—but if we’re honest, it can also feel complicated, messy, and sometimes even painful. In this episode, Heath connects with author Amber Albee Swenson to talk about her new book When Friendship Feels Hard: God’s Design for Deep Relationships. They explore why real friendships take time and effort in a culture that prizes convenience, and why social media connections can never replace the kind of relationships where people truly know and support one another.Amber shares honestly about seasons of loneliness, the power of vulnerability, and the role Christian community plays in helping us navigate life’s hardest moments. From learning how to have difficult conversations to choosing grace when friendships hurt, this conversation is full of practical encouragement for anyone longing for deeper relationships. If you’ve ever wondered why friendship can feel so hard—or why it’s still worth pursuing—this conversation will remind you why we were never meant to walk through life alone.

148 - Noah Herrin: Welcome to Manhood 03.03.2026 28min

What does it really mean to become a man in today’s world? In this honest and energizing conversation, Noah Herrin shares his journey from running from God as a pastor’s kid to leading a thriving church filled with young adults hungry for truth. After recommitting his life to Jesus through a YouTube sermon in college, what started as a simple Bible study unexpectedly grew into a powerful ministry. Now, through his book Welcome to Manhood, Noah is calling men to step into their God-given purpose—challenging them to overcome what Billy Graham once described as the “three Gs” of temptation: gold, glory, and girls.Together, we talk about finishing well in a culture obsessed with starting, overcoming hidden struggles through repentance and intimacy with Christ, and why men need challenge, brotherhood, and accountability to thrive spiritually. Noah reminds us that godly manhood isn’t about hobbies or job titles—it’s about character, private integrity, and falling deeply in love with Jesus. If you’ve ever wrestled with calling, consistency, or what it means to steward your life well, this conversation will encourage you to lift your eyes from the short stretch of this life and live with eternity in view.

147 - Dr. Lee Warren: Self-Brain Surgery and the Science of Hope 24.02.2026 32min

What if you’re not stuck with the brain you have? In this powerful conversation, neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Warren explains how God designed your brain to change—literally. Through a process called neuroplasticity, what you repeatedly think about reshapes your brain’s structure and influences how you experience anxiety, grief, resilience, and even hope. Drawing from both cutting-edge neuroscience and Scripture, the author of The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery shows how science is finally catching up to what the Bible has said all along: renewing your mind can transform your life.After walking through unimaginable personal loss, Dr. Warren shares how faith, gratitude, and intentional thought patterns became tools for healing—not just spiritually, but neurologically. From the role of quiet time and prayer to the generational impact of trauma and healing, this conversation is filled with practical insight and deep encouragement. For more information on Dr. Warren’s new book: https://wleewarrenmd.com/books/the-life-changing-art-of-self-brain-surgery/

146 - Susie Larson: Learning to Live Loved 10.02.2026 26min

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Susie Larson invites us into the heart of what it really means to experience God—not just know about Him, but to live rooted in the reality of His love. Drawing from her own story of trauma, healing, and transformation, Susie shares how many believers—even seasoned Christians—know they’re saved but still struggle to live loved. She unpacks how striving, fear, distraction, and even good religious habits can quietly replace intimacy with God, and why rediscovering awe, gratitude, and wonder is essential to a vibrant faith.Susie offers practical, hope-filled encouragement for those in waiting seasons, painful valleys, or places of exhaustion. She speaks about contending for God’s promises, building a case for His goodness, creating space for God amid busy lives, and learning to rest instead of striving. With wisdom shaped by Scripture, experience, and compassion, this conversation gently calls listeners to slow down, reorient their hearts, and rediscover the freedom, healing, and confidence that flow from truly knowing the God who loves them first.

145 - Heather Thompson Day: When Faith Calls You Off the Safe Path 03.02.2026 26min

What does it really look like to experience God—not just in the big, dramatic moments, but in the quiet faithfulness of everyday life? In this conversation, we sit down with author and professor Heather Thompson Day to explore how obedience, even when it doesn’t make sense, opens the door to seeing God at work. Heather shares personal stories of surrender, waiting, disappointment, and unexpected confirmation—moments where God met her not on the mountaintop, but in ordinary faithfulness.Together, they talk about living in God’s upside-down kingdom, learning to trust Him when it’s “not your turn,” and why faithfulness matters more than visibility or applause. Heather also unpacks what it means to lead with lived experience, to walk closely with God day by day, and to stay obedient even when fruit isn’t immediately visible. This conversation offers encouragement for anyone longing to recognize God’s presence in the here and now—and to trust that He is faithfully at work, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.

144 - Alisa Childers: Staying Grounded in a Noisy World 27.01.2026 29min

Author, speaker, and apologist Alisa Childers joins us for a thoughtful and timely conversation about faith, discernment, and what it means to truly experience God in a confusing cultural moment. Alisa shares her personal story of nearly losing her faith through a season of deconstruction—and how God faithfully led her to solid answers, deeper trust, and a renewed calling to help the Church navigate truth with clarity and compassion.Alisa explores why discernment feels harder than ever, the rise of deconstruction and progressive Christianity, and how believers can develop deep spiritual roots that withstand doubt, suffering, and cultural pressure. Alisa also reflects on calling, humility, and the everyday faithfulness of following Jesus wherever God places us.

143 - Shaunti Feldhahn: When Hurting People Come to Church 20.01.2026 32min

When hurting people walk into church, what happens next? We connect with Shaunti Feldhahn about her newest book, When Hurting People Come to Church, and the urgent opportunity facing the Church in the midst of today’s mental health crisis. Drawing from research with more than 2,000 pastors, counselors, and church leaders, Shaunti shares what she’s learned about the growing levels of anxiety, trauma, grief, and relational pain—and why so many people don’t know where to turn for help.Together, they explore a hopeful and deeply biblical vision for how the body of Christ can respond—not by replacing counselors or overloading pastors, but by equipping everyday believers to listen, care, and walk alongside one another. From practical stories of churches stepping into this space to encouragement for anyone who feels unqualified but willing, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and confidence. If you’ve ever wondered how the church can be a place of real healing—or how God might want to use you—this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible when the Church truly becomes a place of care.

142 - Dr. Richard Blackaby | Come and See: An Invitation to Experience God 13.01.2026 32min

Richard Blackaby grew up in an “ordinary” home where his parents talked about God as if He was truly real—and where prayer wasn’t a religious habit, but an ongoing relationship. In this conversation, the son of Dr. Henry Blackaby shares what it looked like to live with an expectancy that God is active and speaking, and why so many of us struggle to discern His voice—not because God is silent, but because we haven’t learned to recognize Him. Along the way, Richard offers a simple but challenging reframe: we often describe our problems in terms of our limitations, when God invites us to see our circumstances through the bigger reality of who He is and what He can do.In this practical and deeply encouraging conversation, learn what it means to face a “crisis of belief,” why following Jesus often requires getting out of the boat, and how God’s invitations are frequently found in everyday places—neighbors, conversations, ordinary faithfulness. And, hear the surprising story of how Experiencing God nearly never became a book. If you’re a believer who wants to walk with God more attentively, this conversation will help you lift your eyes, get your heart ready, and take the next faithful step.

141 - ENCORE Episode - - Susie Larson: Your Hope Needs A Comeback 31.12.2025 27min

In this encore of our first ever podcast episode, Susie Larson shares personal stories and practical encouragement from her Advent devotional Prepare Him Room, including how intentional practices like fasting can reorient our hearts during Advent, the importance of stewarding our perspective in a noisy culture, and how seasons of suffering and health challenges have shaped her understanding of what it means to truly prepare room for Jesus. With honesty, humor (including a memorable Christmas tree mishap), and hope, Susie offers a final word of encouragement for anyone longing to experience the deeper joy of Christmas—not by doing more, but by making room for the One who comes to meet us.

140 - Stacey Thacker: Everyday Prayers for Christmas 16.12.2025 26min

Stacey Thacker joins us to talk about her new book, Everyday Prayers for Christmas. Through simple, scripture-based prayers, Stacey invites readers and listeners alike to pause, reflect, and connect with God’s presence during a season that can feel both joyful and overwhelming.Stacey also explores the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the birth of Jesus, and the profound way waiting and faith intersect with prayer. Listeners will discover practical ways to pray with intention, let go of perfection, and experience the light and hope of Jesus in their own lives. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, guidance, or just a fresh perspective on the season, this conversation offers inspiration to bring prayer and reflection into your Christmas in a meaningful, everyday way.