Fireside Talk Radio

The indomitable Katie Butts joins Cathy to talk about what moms can expect if the unthinkable happens: an unexpected diagnosis during a sonogram. She shares about experiencing first a miscarriage, and then, goes on to talk about the unexpected, unrelated diagnosis both her children received. With deliberate decisions to experience joy, she shares the nuts and bolts of how the, her hubby, their family and all their friends have celebrated along the way. With her kids growing up quickly, she encourages young moms everywhere that the joy "will be so much greater than you can ever imagine!"

Marcie McSwane joins Cathy to honor the beautiful life of Patrick McSwane by sharing wisdom on how families can help the siblings cope. Along with understanding about the realities of mental disease, she offers practical ideas. For instance, she and her friends celebrate "Siblings Appreciation Day" on Patrick's birthday. She shares her personal timeline for grief and other insight that helps. Join us as Marcie offers hope and courage to those families battling mental illness.

With tender hearts, Marcie McSwane and Cathy honor the life of Marcie's beloved brother, Patrick. For those who know the trauma of mental illness in families, Marcie gently shares how siblings can respond when they face the mental deterioration of a beloved sibling. Marcie peals back the layers to identify some of the normal feelings of anguish, grief, and guilt that siblings may face. She offers encouragement and advice for parents wondering how to help the "other" kids in the family.

If your child has mental illness and you feel overwhelmed, tune in to this episode. Successful attorney, committed family man, and loving Christian, Doug McSwane explains that finding resources for families is tough for anyone. Out of Doug's own experience with his son's suicide comes a wealth of help and encouragement. Even people with amazing education and financial resources find the process of getting help baffling. On the other hand, if you are wondering what to do next, Doug has some great insight on options that will offer your family help and hope.

Suicide is a gut-wrenching topic even for us at Camp Krafve where we believe no topic is too taboo. In this episode, dear friend Doug McSwane tenderly shares the story of his son's mental illness. He explains the trauma and bewilderment families suffer when a beloved child manifests symptoms. Doug generously tells his story, including things he learned and felt as the journey unfolded. If you or anyone you love is facing suicide, you will want to listen in on this daring and courageous conversation for the ways Doug's experience can help you. We gratefully share this with you in tribute to the beautiful life of Patrick McSwane.

Financial guru, Marina Schroeder joins Cathy to answer the BIG financial questions we've been saving for her, like: What's the most common mistakes young families make? How do you navigate working with your kids in a family business? What can families do to help widows or single moms make the transition to managing their own money? If you have money questions, too, Marina has answers. Don't miss this chance to multiply your financial savvy with this talented financial advisor.

Financial Guru Marina Schroeder tenderly shares the way her childhood experiences influenced her to be a person whose life is characterized by forgiveness. Explaining the pain she experienced in her family due to abuse, she shares how her relationship with Jesus Christ allowed her to forgive. With grace, humor, lots of patience, and yes, that good ole work ethic, she now counsels everyone to own their success. For lots of great tips for gaining success, in all aspects of life, don't miss the conversational adventure with this dear friend.

The wise and wonderful Sandy Bristow is back to share her wisdom on how sexual trauma affects women in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. With depression as a real symptom, she explains how our enemy, the devil, likes to isolate those who've been hurt, then "move in for the kill." Instead she offer data that empowers us and the best treatment of all: community. Sandy defines trustworthiness when it comes to friends and counselors who can actually help us.As always, she brings her extensive wisdom to bear in giving us the advice and encouragement. “We can learn from one another. There’s a sisterhood here. We need to pray for one another.” ~Sandy Bristow

Women's Minister Sandy Bristow joins Cathy to share about her experience with sexual assault. This highly educated, gifted counselor shares her personal experience of being attacked by a trusted health professional, a chiropractor. From the first moments of the show when she offers the legal definition of sexual assault to the end when she sums up God's love of justice, Sandy shares one profound insight after another. If you or someone you love has been fondled, groped, or raped, her wisdom will equip you to seek justice.

Pastor Stanley Cofer credits his parents' insight and love of God’s word for the advantages he's enjoyed even as a young man. “They placed the word of God as the top authority. I never heard my parents downgrade a caucasian person, Nor did they exalt their own race.” Because they taught him to seek God first, he finds himself in a unique lace in East Texas. In a community that has struggled with racial division for over a hundred years, Stanley and his wife Christy find themselves in an unusual position. Spearheading a movement for unity, through the Empowerment Community Development Corporation, they find their efforts to bring unity to East Texas attracting enthusiasm. To those who scoff, Stanley has this to say: "I am not pro-back. I am not pro-white. I am pro-human," adding, "If Christ is the center, you can’t help but be an agent of love."

In this episode, Pastor Stanley Cofer returns to update us on some of the great stuff happening around East Texas to finally do away with self-segregation. He shares his secrets for attracting young people and people from all ethnic backgrounds to community events. He talks about how Christians can be relevant. Factoring in respect for personal preferences when it comes to worship styles, he encourage folks to break down walls by bringing together congregations for special events. Finally, with compassion and insight he shares the valuable heart-felt messages he has for his white brothers and sisters. You won't want to miss this truthful discussion of what it takes to become an empowerment community.

In this candid interview about what motivates him to address race issues with such a vulnerable heart, Ben Scaccia opens up about how he came to write the best-selling novel, Meals from Mars. Ben shares how his preconceived ideas were challenged in Chicago when, as a student at Wheaton, he volunteered at Cook County's juvie jail. The young men he met there challenged him to think about reconciliation and justice from a different perspective. If you've wondered what you could do to help heal our nation's schism over race , you will want to tune in for the practical and perceptive insight Ben offers. Eighteen years as an educator at Restoration Academy near Birmingham, Alabama have cemented this good man's love for his diverse community.

Ben Sciacca is back with Cathy to offer practical advice on how even one person's efforts can ripple out to create unity in our communities. What can we do? Anything simple and easy that might make a difference on the tough issue of racism? You bet! Along with reconciliation and justice, Ben offers insight on "Shalom, peace that makes harmony and delight in all our relationships." We are so proud of this episode that identifies the kind of Biblical peace promised when we discover the secret to seeking it first in our own hearts.

The amazing and talented Mary Ottman shares valuable insight on how leaders can grow. An engineer by training, a wise woman by design, her practical tips on self-diagnosing ways to become a trusted and insightful leader will have you begging for more! Get the best leadership training in your week here absolutely free in only 30 minutes. Professional women (and men) will love the practical advice born out of Mary's vast experience.

Mary Ottman share of her experience as a professional woman who was "roofied" in a work environment at 47 years old. Can it even be called date rape if the predator is someone you've known for years and thought of as a harmless friend? How does the drug effect you? How can you be fore-warned and thus, fore-armed? Mary shares her tender story and what she learned when reality set in after the initial trauma and shock wore off. This is an episode you will not want to miss. Listen and then, PLEASE, share it with your daughters and friends of all ages!

Care Executive Director B.J. Garrett shares how pastors are helping congregations by inviting women (and men) to tell stories of abortion experiences. In this episode, B.J. addresses the myth that post-abortive trauma is not affecting families or the church. CARE stands for Christ-centered Abortion Recovery and Education. Many, but not all, CARE volunteers are post-abortive. Some share their stories publicly; while all appreciate the strict confidentiality of the ministry. If you are wishing you could make a difference when it comes to abortion, B.J. tenderly shares how people are quietly making a gentle difference behind the scenes on this very sensitive issue.

CARE Executive Director B.J. Garrett joins Cathy to share the gut-wrenching story of her childhood experiences. A victim of sex trafficking, she now educates on the connection between childhood trauma and abortion. This victorious, mighty woman of God shares how she shook free of the chains introduced by her childhood experiences and became a powerful force in the fight to empower women. If you are struggling with the after-affects of abortion or love someone who is, this show will set you on a path to freedom, joy, and victory. Don't miss this expert's tender and compassionate take on one of our culture's most sensitive topics.

Darlene Marshal joins Cathy to share the wisdom she learned after a divorce as a Christian woman and gifted Bible teacher. How can the church step up to comfort those who have been through divorce? How do we get over our judgy-ness of others and ourselves about divorce? How can we understand the challenge single moms’ face after the divorce? Darlene tells the hard truth with compassion and gentleness. Darlene talks about pursuing the same purpose God always intended for you, even if your marriage turns toward divorce. She shares how she grew confident in the future God had for her and her children. If you or someone you love has been through divorce, you don’t want to miss her encouraging message! For more about Darlene, go to www.thementoringalliance.com.

Darlene shares her experiences as a Christian woman who never expected to be divorced She discusses with tenderness the impact that mental health can have in families. A gifted Bible teacher, Darlene has devoted herself to impacting the next generation her whole life. With over 32 years experience in public schools, including administration, Darlene currently serves as Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas, the only Boys and Girls Club in the nation to come under the auspices of a Christian organization, the Mentoring Alliance. Darlene is truly exceptional in every way. Cathy cherishes this episode in which Darlene humbly tells the most personal aspects of how she lived through her unexpected heartache. For more about Darlene, go to www.thementoringalliance.com.

Media guru, Sandra Beck, tells how it really is to be single and strong as a mom. She holds back no punches in talking about the challenges. Then, in her energetic, no-nonsence style, Sandra offers practical tips and personal stories of things that worked for her amazing family. Like the way she dreaded certain community events because she had to haul her own picnic in, while other moms had hubbies to help. Leave it to Sandra to tell the truth and encourage us simultaneously. If you want to encourage single moms, or you want to be the strong single mom champion of your family, listen in to this reality check with the pumped-up solutions we all seek.