The Boundless Show

Latest Episodes:

These Pastors Were Addicts: Episode 829 Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

A 2023 goals report card, plus firsthand help for addiction recovery (part two), and can you study the Bible without it getting repetitive?

Featured musical artist: Phil Wickham

Roundtable: What Happened to Our 2023 Resolutions?

Do you remember what your goals were at the beginning of the year? Our team looked back at our aspirations for 2023 and how (if?) we actually saw them through. We share the highs and lows of this year, how we hoped to grow, what we wanted to accomplish, and what we might change heading into 2024,

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Culture: An Inside Look at Addiction (Part 2)

Addiction is no small thing, and one of the most painful experiences is falling prey to it, or seeing a friend or family member do so. Addicts either don’t think they have a problem, or assume it’s something to “fix” if they can muster up the willpower — but it goes so much deeper than that. Dr. Ken Harmon and Dr. Trent Langhofer, both former addicts, are now pastors and recovery experts whom God is using to help others. In part two of our conversation, they share the dos and don’ts of helping someone trapped in addiction.

Healing the Scars of Addiction: Reclaiming Your Life and Moving Into a Healthy Future

Link to Counseling Services

Inbox: Does Your Bible Reading Seem Repetitive?

Is there a way to read the Bible or devotional books without them feeling repetitive? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.

Boundless Advent Devotional

Successful Small Groups: Episode 828 Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

Pastors’ tips for finding a great small group, plus firsthand help for addiction recovery, and should a guy give a girl a gift on the first date?

Featured musical artist: Je’kob

Roundtable: How to Choose a Small Group

We talk a lot about how one of the best ways to connect to other believers and truly grow is by “making the big church small.” Getting involved in a small group can do just that. But how do you find a small group that’s a good fit? And what makes a small group successful? Two pastors with tons of experience in Christian community and discipleship share what makes a good small group, how groups can go deeper, different types of groups to try, and when to walk away and try something else.

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Culture: An Inside Look at Addiction (Part 1)

Addiction is no small thing, and one of the most painful experiences is falling prey to it, or seeing a friend or family member do so. Addicts either don’t think they have a problem, or assume it’s something to “fix” if they can muster up the willpower — but it goes so much deeper than that. Dr. Ken Harmon and Dr. Trent Langhofer, both former addicts, are now pastors and recovery experts whom God is using to help others. In part one of our conversation, they share their stories and give common misconceptions about addiction and recovery.

Healing the Scars of Addiction: Reclaiming Your Life and Moving Into a Healthy Future

Link to Counseling Services

Inbox: Should Guys Give a Gift on a First Date?

Is bringing a gift on your first date appropriate? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Boundless Advent Devotional

Planning a Fun Christmas Party: Episode 827 Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

Killer Christmas party ideas, plus Mark Ballenger on prioritizing God while dating, and a question about same-sex attraction and celibacy.

Featured musical artist: Darlene Zschech

Roundtable: Christmas Party Planning

It’s that time of year: decorations, holiday tunes, Christmas cookies, ugly sweaters, and yes, Christmas parties. Most people can host a ho-hum Christmas party, but if you want yours to be next-level, you need this conversation. Our party people share tips for including introverts, melding friend groups, serving food, curating music, making memories and more.

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Culture: God’s Role in Your Dating Life

If you’ve ever watched the popular YouTube channel ApplyGodsWord.com, you’ve seen Mark Ballenger offer biblical dating and marriage advice. This week he shares his personal stories, plus how to overcome past hurts, blow past preconceived notions, and keep God at the center of all your dating decisions.

Christ-Centered Dating: Pursuing a Relationship That Glorifies God

Watch Mark’s YouTube Channel

Mark’s Website

Our listener struggles with same-sex attraction and is wondering if this means he’s destined to remain celibate forever. Gender and sexuality expert Jeff Johnston weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Boundless Advent Devotional

Hear Jeff Johnston’s Testimony

Find Articles by Jeff Johnston

Should Singles Be Good with Kids?: Episode 826 Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

How singles can connect with kids, plus more with Michael Johnson on dating must-dos, and how to deal with friends who’ve gotten married.

Featured musical artist: Jeremy Rosado

Roundtable: Is Being Good with Kids Required for Marriage?

Some singles consider themselves great with kids, while others find that children make them uncomfortable. But is being good with children a prerequisite for being a healthy spouse? We interviewed some people who love children on ways you can learn to be more comfortable around kids, and why doing so is beneficial for marriage.

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Culture: Dating to Find a Spouse (Part 2)

Dating should be fun, but when stakes are high (like actually looking for a mate), things can easily get complicated. How can you be sure you’re dating in a way that will lead to a godly marriage? Our friend Michael Johnson’s new book breaks it all down, helping Christian daters get clarity and intention in how to make dating count. In part two of our discussion, he’ll address ways to guard against sexual temptation, the need for good friends, and whether or not you’re ready to date.

Date Like You Know What You’re Doing: Your DatePrep Guide

Future Marriage University

Inbox: When Your Friends Have Gotten Married

How do you move forward when you feel abandoned by your friends who’ve gotten married, and you’re still single? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Guest: Lisa Anderson

Article: Friends Beyond Marriage, Part 1

Article: Friends Beyond Marriage, Part 2

Link to Counseling Services

Boundless Advent Devotional

What We Love About Thanksgiving: Episode 825 Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

Favorite Thanksgiving traditions, plus Michael Johnson on dating must-dos, and what if you strongly disagree with your siblings’ choices?

Featured musical artist: Daniel Bashta

Roundtable: Our Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many (well, Americans, at least). To help you celebrate, we took a lighthearted look at some of our most treasured Turkey Day traditions. We discuss holiday food (the debate: stuffing or dressing?), favorite activities, general vibes, and how we emphasize thankfulness with our families and friends.

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Culture: Dating to Find a Spouse (Part 1)

Dating should be fun, but when stakes are high (like actually looking for a mate), things can easily get complicated. How can you be sure you’re dating in a way that will lead to a godly marriage? Our friend Michael Johnson’s new book breaks it all down, helping Christian daters get clarity and intention in how to make dating count. In part one of our conversation, he’ll share fun (read: both amazing and awkward) stories from his own dating experience, plus how to spot a Mr. or Ms. Wrong, and why dating can actually be fun.

Date Like You Know What You’re Doing: Your DatePrep Guide

Future Marriage University

Inbox: When You Disagree with Your Siblings’ Choices

It’s tough when your sibling makes a life choice that goes against your core convictions. When that happens, how do you respond? Is it possible to stand for truth and still love your brother or sister? Counselor Angel Perez weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Boundless Advent Devotional

Shallow Relationships: Episode 824 Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

When going deep with others is difficult, plus handling rough family dynamics during the holidays, and bitterness over being left out.

Featured musical artist: Kerrie Roberts

Roundtable: When a Relationship Feels Shallow

Some friendships bring instant connection. You both have something in common and you hit it off. Soon you’re able to be real, challenging and sharpening each other. But for others, no matter how hard you try, the connection or the will to go deep just isn’t there. This can happen with family, too — or even a boyfriend or girlfriend. What do you do when it feels like a relationship lacks a heart and mind connection? That’s the question we get to the bottom of this week.

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Culture: Family Doesn’t Guarantee Holiday Happiness

Holiday hype promises warmth, family and nostalgia, but family gatherings can be anything but fun if you have to face that relative. If your family is less than picture perfect, how do you survive? Can you celebrate without hurt, resentment, confrontation or even an all-out war? Counselor Tim Sanford offers practical ways to manage expectations, establish boundaries and keep the peace, even around the most challenging family members.

Forgive for Real: Six Steps to Forgiving

Just Annoying, or Truly Unsafe? How to Navigate Get-Togethers with Difficult Family

Inbox: No Room in the Apartment

She was planning to move out with friends, but then they got a place without her. She found out after the fact and wants to know how to move on from feeling betrayed. Counselor Linda Miller weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

Madi Prewett Troutt on Love: Episode 823 Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

When your beliefs are challenged at work, plus Madi Prewett Troutt talks “The Bachelor,” love and singleness, and how to lean on God after a breakup.

Featured musical artist: David Dunn

Roundtable: When Your Workplace Challenges Your Convictions (Part 2)

Managing the daily grind at work is hard enough, but it’s particularly challenging when the environment is hostile to your faith and convictions. It’s not unheard of to see Christians ridiculed, canceled, pressured or even fired for standing up for what they believe. How should this kind of workplace culture be navigated? Our guests come from fields in education, medicine, mental health and the corporate world, and have experienced ideological challenges on the job. They continue a great discussion from last week on how to stay true to your convictions in an increasingly hostile world.

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Culture: Beyond “The Bachelor” With Madi Prewett Troutt

In 2020, Madi Prewett Troutt became a both beloved and maligned contestant on TV’s “The Bachelor.” Her season in the public eye taught her much, especially what love is — and what it isn’t. She shares lessons learned from the show, dating in high school, marrying her husband, Grant, and most importantly — from God himself. Get Madi’s take on how to get the love you want instead of what will never last.

The Love Everybody Wants: What You’re Looking For Is Already Yours

Inbox: God Will Get You Through Your Breakup

Breakups aren’t easy, especially when you had high expectations for the relationship. People tell you to “lean on God” to deal with the pain, but what does that look like? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

Standing for Truth at Work: Episode 822 Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

When your beliefs are challenged at work, plus how introverts can win on the job, and balancing your priorities with your family’s needs.

Featured musical artist: Nathan Tasker

Roundtable: When Your Workplace Challenges Your Convictions (Part 1)

Managing the daily grind at work is hard enough, but it’s particularly challenging when the environment is hostile to your faith and convictions. It’s not unheard of to see Christians ridiculed, canceled, pressured or even fired for standing up for what they believe. How should this kind of workplace culture be navigated? Our guests come from fields in education, medicine, mental health and the corporate world, and have experienced ideological challenges on the job. They spark a great discussion on how to stay true to your convictions in an increasingly hostile world.

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Culture: Introverts at Work

Are extroverts more successful in their careers? Listening to workplace lore, you’d assume that it’s easier for extroverts to get ahead, make friends, influence others, and be recognized on the job. Sometimes that’s true — but introverts, take heart. Introvert Dr. Mike Bechtle says that introverts have unique gifts and temperaments that can spell success on the job. Whether you’re an introvert or you want to better understand your introverted friends and coworkers, you’ll be encouraged by this discussion.

The Introvert’s Guide to Success in the Workplace: Becoming Confident in a Culture of Extroverted Expectations

Inbox: When Your Family Needs You

You want to focus on your own projects, priorities and friendships, but your family sometimes needs your help. How should you respond when things feel out of balance? Counselor Linda Miller gives a few tips.

From Meth Addict to Musician: Episode 821 Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Finding hobbies beyond entertainment, plus the testimony of worship leader Stephen McWhirter, and when you feel burned out from loving others.

Featured musical artist: Aaron Shust

Roundtable: Purposeful Hobbies

A new show to binge, a football score to check, and then some gaming (got to level up!). These pastimes are fun, but in an entertainment-saturated world, how can we balance our go-to media interests with hobbies that are more productive? Our guests open up about their struggles with consuming too much entertainment — and how they’re learning to stretch their minds and skills in other directions.

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Link to Plugged In Website

Culture: Stephen McWhirter’s Journey From Meth to Ministry

Before Stephen McWhirter became known for the song “Come Jesus Come,” he spent a long season openly hating God. Growing up watching his dad, a pastor, abuse Stephen’s mom, Stephen wanted nothing to do with Christians. He turned to drugs, and for over a decade they consumed his life. But that’s where God met him. Hear Stephen tell how God redeemed his broken story and gave him a platform to show others the path to true freedom.

The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

Stephen’s Music

Inbox: Burned Out From All the Takers

Ever feel like you’re giving your time and energy to everyone else, but getting nothing in return? If loving others is leaving you exhausted, counselor Jerry Jones offers hope.

Link to Counseling Services

Spiritual Compatibility in Dating: Episode 820 Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Determining if you and your date align in matters of faith, plus female execs help women succeed, and pursuing a woman post-breakup.

Featured musical artist: Mosaic MSC

Roundtable: Are You Spiritually Compatible?

You and the person you’re dating may both be Christians, but that doesn’t guarantee you’re compatible. What are your theological disagreements? Does their spiritual maturity matter? What about worship style or church experience? Our panel gives their best advice to help you determine what’s important to stay in sync spiritually with your significant other.

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Culture: Helping Women Succeed in the Workforce

Today’s career landscape has exploded with new opportunities for women, but that doesn’t mean success isn’t hard-won. Three female execs and business owners who’ve been there spearhead a discussion on how to be a successful working woman and leader while honoring God and achieving work-life balance.

The Way We Work: Taking Charge of Your Own Success

4-Word Women

Inbox: What If She Just Ended a Relationship?

He’s been on a couple dates, but both women recently came out of dating relationships. He’s wondering: Should a guy pursue a woman if she just ended a relationship with someone else? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services

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