Relationship Insights With Carrie Abbott

New research found that married couples who act on their faith together — those believers social scientists call 'convictional Christians'—have healthier, more flourishing marriages. Gary Schneeberger with Focus on the Family joins us with the details, including the 32 areas focused on in the study, as well as the top 5 for great marriages! Home - Focus on the Family (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/)

With Roe gone, abortion is still prevalent and, in some areas, growing. What can we do to change this? Dan Steiner, founder of PreBorn!, joins us to share how they support, train, and equip 200 pregnancy resource centers nationwide! Their online outreach to abortion-vulnerable women is growing, and their need for nurses is also growing. A timely way to engage on the life issue effectively! https://preborn.com/carrie 

Josh McDowell gave us "More Than a Carpenter," and now his son Sean joins us with the updated version of this classic. This father-son team knows how to answer the tough questions, and addressing "Lord, Liar, or Lunatic?" is just the beginning! Sean brings his valuable insights and explains what makes this handbook on apologetics so refreshingly powerful. Sean McDowell | Home (https://seanmcdowell.org/)

Americans need a platform designed to help families find physicians who align with their values. Daniel Cruz, co-founder of Presidio Healthcare, believes if it’s your insurance plan, then you should be in control. Daniel joins us with the exciting details on coverage, including more holistic options including chiropractic and naturopathic options. Exciting! Get Affordable, Reliable, Pro-Life Health Insurance (https://www.presidiocare.com/)

American Heritage Girls founder Patti Garibay asks, “How can girls and women claim to advocate for ‘girl power’ when the feminist movement in America is tied to so many activities and beliefs that directly oppose Christian values?” Patti joins us to discuss what girls really need to be feminine and the incredible opportunities through AHG programs all parents can endorse. American Heritage Girls – Christ-centered character development program for girls. (https://americanheritagegirls.org/)

Colorado and 22 other states prohibit counselors from encouraging clients to “change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction” toward members of the same sex. They can, however, encourage the opposite. Kaley Chiles, a licensed professional counselor, is suing Colorado, and her case was recently taken up by The U.S. Supreme Court. Cody Barnett, legal counsel with ADF, joins us with the details of this important case! Supreme Court to Hear Colorado Counselor’s Challenge to Censorship Law – Alliance Defending Freedom (https://adflegal.org/article/supreme-court-hear-colorado-counselors-challenge-censorship-law/)     

Teslas destroyed—bullets assaulting dealerships and angry drivers assaulting Tesla drivers. Why? And why are transgender activists some of the perpetrators? A New York court ruling blocks more than 800,000 non-citizen New York City residents from voting. RFK celebrates World Down Syndrome Day! President Trump signs an executive order to dismantle the Dept. of Education (a 45-year dream for conservatives); Boeing lands a HUGE defense contract, and other breaking news.

Forget using your gas stove if Democrats have their way in Washington state. Restaurant owners and people on both sides of the aisle oppose this, so why are they doing this? Representative Jim Walsh joins us with the inside story and addresses the assault on parental rights as well as giving Medicaid to illegal immigrants. Make your voice heard; go to leg.wa.gov and vote no on HB 1296, SB 5181, and SHB 1392.

In New Jersey, the "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questionnaire" is being forced on parents of newborns! Seriously? A mother in Deerfield, Illinois, has revealed that school officials forced young girls to change into their gym clothes in front of a trans-identified male student. This situation is worse than it sounds, and we share stories of young women and men whose images were added to AI images of porn and distributed widely, in one case leading to suicide. The TAKE IT DOWN Act is the result. An important show!

The number of babies born in the United States falls every year to new lows, imposing costs that experts warn could stretch into “quadrillions of dollars.” Now, analysts from two continents have proposed policies to help families get married and raise children, and we review each insightful recommendation. Let’s remove the obstacles to family formation and flourishing! Having Fewer Babies Will Cost U.S. Economy ‘Quadrillions of Dollars’: Study (https://washingtonstand.com/news/having-fewer-babies-will-cost-us-economy-quadrillions-of-dollars-study)

Dr. George Barna joins us with a new report identifying a dozen key trends set to redefine life in America this year, including five faith-related shifts and seven social transitions. These include syncretism mental health, less college and more trades, more churches closing, family issues, and other shifts poised to influence the nation’s cultural and spiritual future in 2025. 2025 Faith and Culture Trends: Barna Research Forecasts What’s Ahead (https://www.arizonachristian.edu/2025/01/22/barna_crc_research_reveal_12_trends_that-will_shape_faith_and_culture_in_2025/)

Should a judge be able to interfere with our executive branch in matters of national security related to deporting criminals? Pam Bondi says deportation flights will continue… Who will win this battle? In another big story, the autopen has apparently been used to sign most of Biden’s executive orders and other documents. Who was really running the government? And the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claws back $20 billion in climate project funds and begins important deregulation.

Professor Ellen Langer reveals a variety of studies that show perception of time and our overall mindfulness and thoughts have a powerful impact on our well-being. You will hear about people healing faster, elderly participants getting stronger with different surroundings, and much more. The power of our perception is incredible and literally life-changing!

Dr. Stuart Brown, researcher and founder of the National Institute for Play, has identified eight “play personalities” to help adults identify the type of play that feels most natural and provides incredible benefits. We look at all eight—you will be surprised to find out how much playing you are actually doing in your life! A fun way to rethink ‘rest'. National Institute for Play! (https://nifplay.org/what-is-play/play-personalities/)

With DEI programs on the chopping block in government, business, and education, were there any benefits we could glean from it? New research has some fascinating outcomes that might surprise you, which may be worse than the problems DEI wants to solve. And we look at the benefits from talking to strangers; yes, it’s allowed when you are older! A fun and insightful conversation!

With $36 trillion in debt, our long-term spending is untenable and reckless. Dr. Shane Enete believes fiscal responsibility, not more spending and debt, are core values taught in the Bible. Dr. Enete joins us to discuss the current trade imbalance, the purpose of tariffs as part of a bigger national strategy, and brings insights for our personal finances as well. Helpful! Whole Heart Finances – A Jesus-centered guide to managing our money with joy (https://wholeheartfinances.com/)

After decades of decline, faith and religion are turning the corner, so what does this mean? Dr. Alex McFarland, one of the nation’s leading apologists, joins us with his insights. Family is a key part of this change, and marriage rates are starting to turn as well. We offer some encouragement for parents of kids who have turned away and remember friends: we are all in it together!  Home - Alex McFarland (https://alexmcfarland.com/)

Personal good news from the Abbott family and big stories regarding North Korea, Canada’s new Prime Minister, and Quebec promoting more secularism. We also discuss Jeff Bezos and The Washington Post's opinion section, resolutions addressing same-sex marriage that are popping up in several states causing big reactions, Nicole Shanahan’s conversion, new studies on fertility rates, and other big news. Join the fun!

What was happening in the spiritual realm as the President spoke to our nation's leaders? A lot has been said about the speech, but you haven’t heard this yet. Join Carrie as she brings some fresh insight on a speech she is calling declarative, nation-changing, and spiritually impacting!

How can we pursue our calling while managing our risk of burnout? Author and professor Arianna Molloy expands our understanding of the three c’s of calling and the keys to humility, which include learning and rest, and addresses the dark side of calling--burnout, including symptoms and prevention. Insightful!