The Boundless Show

Culture: The Cohabitation Conundrum (Part 1)

The Institute for Family Studies reports that almost 70 percent of Christian couples live together before getting married. According to psychologist Dr. Greg Smalley, both biblical and practical arguments against cohabitation seem to be “white noise.” Why so, and is there a better way to have this conversation? Greg, Focus on the Family’s Vice President of Marriage, joins us for a two-part discussion on cohabitation, including new insights and research to debunk the “it’s no big deal” arguments made by many young adults. In part one, Greg shares some of the most common (and maybe uncommon) reasons for living together, plus its impact on your future marriage.

Ready to Wed: 12 Ways to Start a Marriage You’ll Love

Inbox: They’ve Cut Off Family Communication

What can you do if a family member has cut off communication and shows no signs of wanting to be contacted? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

Fun With Annie F. Downs: Episode 899 Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

When people transition out of your life, plus Annie F. Downs on being single and not-so-serious, and how to set boundaries with your parents.

Featured musical artist: About a Mile

Roundtable: When People Leave

Your best friend moves to a new city. Or a sibling leaves home. Or you change churches. All of these have one thing in common: They reset your social circle, plus they bring a sense of grief and loss. When people exit your life, how do you learn to adjust? Our guests talk about departures that have forced them to move on and make new friends, plus how they persevered and saw God’s hand in the transitions despite the struggle to say goodbye.

Culture: Annie F. Downs From the Inside Out

If you’ve ever listened to the podcast “That Sounds Fun” with host Annie F. Downs, you’re certainly familiar with her spunk, energy, and wide array of guests and topics. This week she’s on “The Boundless Show” chatting with Lisa about singleness, accountability in everything, how to navigate a career change, how she plans her show, and where she’s trusting God right now.

Chase the Fun: 100 Days to Discover Fun Right Where You Are

Find Annie’s Podcast

Single Purpose League

Inbox: Boundaries With My Parents

Are you an adult whose parents still want to know every bit of your business? You’re not alone. How can you maintain a good relationship with your mom and dad while still setting appropriate boundaries and building independence? Counselor Kari A weighs in.

Your Life Tells a Story: Episode 898 Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Our favorite Easter takeaways and traditions, plus crafting your testimony to share, and keeping up with a Gen Zer who wants to do it all.

Featured musical artist: John Waller

Roundtable: The Impact of Easter

We share our favorite Easter holiday activities and traditions — what we’ve kept (church, brunch, maybe a chocolate egg or two) and what we’ve tossed (Easter bunny photos, ugh) — and how we craft a meaningful celebration. We also discuss why Easter gives us hope, and what that actually means.

Culture: How to Tell Your Story

Are you good at sharing your testimony? For many of us it can feel awkward or downright intimidating. Maybe you’re not even sure what parts to leave in and what to cut out. And you certainly haven’t practiced it. Dani Crews joins us to explain the power of our own stories in sharing the gospel with others, and gives us great tips for crafting our story so others want to hear it.

Rhythms of Rest: A Devotional to Move You Towards the Life You Were Always Created For

Visit Dani’s Website

Take Dani’s Course

Inbox: That Gen-Z Lifestyle

If someone you know is more of a free spirit who wants to work a flexible schedule, is forever traveling to new places, has a lot of friends but doesn’t want to make time for family or those closest to them, how do you find common ground? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Gender Roles in Dating: Episode 897 Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Roles and rhythms while dating, plus strategies to combat loneliness, and when he feels attraction in a relationship but she doesn’t.

Featured musical artist: Tauren Wells

Roundtable: Who Does What When Dating?

A listener recently asked what roles, if any, men and women should play in a dating relationship. The question raises many more questions: Should the guy make the first move? Does biblical submission apply in dating? Who should pay for dates? What does leadership of the relationship look like? We tackle these questions and more with our panel of newly-married and engaged individuals.

Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World

Culture: Overcoming Loneliness

Loneliness is a worldwide epidemic. A recent U.S. Surgeon General report states that one in two adults feels isolated. The need for connection is greater than ever, and Christians should be the first to prioritize it. Becky Harling has fought hard for real relationships in her life, and is here to show us how to do the same.

Visit Becky’s Website

Inbox: One-Sided Attraction

A listener has been dating her boyfriend for three months. He’s excited about the relationship, but she’s just not feeling it. Is there reason to stick it out and hope for attraction to grow? Counselor Kari A weighs in.

Choosing Attraction

Relationship Seasons: Episode 896 Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

Obeying God’s commands about sex (part two), plus Ben Stuart on breakups, engagement and marriage, and how do you prepare to be a stay-at-home mom?

Featured musical artist: Zach Williams

Roundtable: A Sexual Purity Reset (Part 2)

Do you sometimes feel you’re the last Christian on earth who hasn’t had sex? Or you think God has bigger things to worry about than your sex life, so a little compromise here or there is no big deal. Maybe you’ve caved to sexual sin and are wondering if you’re a Christian at all. If any of these scenarios describe you, you’re not alone. God is pretty clear about His sexual standards and design, so why is it so hard to obey them? And in today’s culture, why should we? In part two of this no-holds-barred conversation, our guests discuss why church can be a difficult place to talk about sexual struggles, how sex in marriage is a big deal, and finding a future beyond sexual sin.

Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: Navigating Life and Love in the Modern Age

Watch this Segment on YouTube

Culture: Moving From a Breakup to Marriage

Most of us go through at least one breakup while dating, but is there a way to navigate a relationship’s demise without getting caught in a bad cycle of them? Pastor Ben Stuart broke up with a girlfriend in college and learned a few valuable lessons in the process. Breakups may be part of your journey through the relational seasons of being single, dating, getting engaged and getting married. But as Ben explains, it’s possible to survive a breakup (or several) and move toward marriage with confidence.

Visit Ben’s Instagram

Inbox: Prep to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom

Our listener dreams of being a stay-at-home mom and is asking how she should prepare. Counselor Joannie DeBrito weighs in.

Is Every Christian Single Having Sex?: Episode 895 Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Obeying God’s commands about sex, plus Ben Stuart on battling adversity and temptation, and how to maximize your final year of college.

Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship

Roundtable: A Sexual Purity Reset (Part 1)

Do you sometimes feel you’re the last Christian on earth who hasn’t had sex? Or you think God has bigger things to worry about than your sex life, so a little compromise here or there is no big deal. Maybe you’ve caved to sexual sin and are wondering if you’re a Christian at all. If any of these scenarios describe you, you’re not alone. God is pretty clear about His sexual standards and design, so why is it so hard to obey them? And in today’s culture, why should we? In part one of this no-holds-barred conversation, our guests open up about their sexual histories, grapple with the truths of God’s Word (even the tough parts), look forward with renewed hope, and cast a vision for finding both strength and grace in God’s forward-focused and for-our-good design for sex.

Rest and War: Rhythms of a Well-Fought Life

Culture: Fighting Temptation and Finding Rest

We’re in a spiritual war against the world, our own sinful desires, and even Satan himself. We need to fight temptation, worthless pursuits, discouragement and adversity on every side. As fighters, our need for rest can be just as important as how we handle the battle — but where and when do we find this rest? Pastor Ben Stuart is passionate about helping young adults find intimacy with God through ancient rhythms and practices. He knows we can reject the enemy’s lies and embrace our true identity in Christ. Pushing through the struggle we are then afforded rest at the often unexpected pastures and streams that God provides. This discussion will help you start the journey.

Visit Ben’s Instagram

Inbox: Making Your Last Year of College Count

What should you do to maximize your last year of college? How can you enjoy this season while preparing for what comes next? Counselor Linda Miller weighs in.

Strategies for Saving: Episode 894 Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

How we budget and save for stuff, plus what to do when you feel behind in life, and conversations with someone who has doubts about God.

Featured musical artist: Hollyn

Roundtable: Are You Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

A bucket-list trip. A new house. A different car. The latest smartphone. All great things, but they require money. Many of us have gotten used to living paycheck to paycheck and putting things on credit cards. Is there a better way to spend and save without going into debt or eating mac and cheese until we’re 40? Our guests reveal what they’re saving money for, how they’re doing it, and why delayed gratification and planning for the future can be rewarding. If you’re needing clarity on how to better save towards a long-term goal, you’ll be inspired by our discussion.

You Are Not Behind: Building a Life You Love Without Having Everything You Want

Culture: Am I Behind in Life?

Your friend gets a promotion. Another friend starts dating. A couple in your small group is expecting their first child. Meanwhile, you’re underemployed and staring at another apartment’s popcorn ceiling. This was Meghan Asbury’s life. Every milestone her friends hit left her feeling more and more behind. She moved to a new city for a fresh start, but that didn’t help. The months and years following led to a fair amount of grieving, soul-searching, and reevaluating her situation. In the process she learned a lot about herself, God, His plans for us, and what it means to be “on track.”

Visit Meghan’s Website

Inbox: When a Loved One Doubts God

A friend or family member admits they’re having doubts about God. How can you respond without freaking out or sounding preachy? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

Overcoming Trauma: Episode 893 Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Make your Bible reading more meaningful, plus identifying and addressing trauma in your life, and what did Paul mean by his “thorn in the flesh”?

Featured musical artist: Phil Wickham

Roundtable: Beyond Bible 101

You grew up in church, but is the Bible still a bunch of stories and moral lessons to you? Do you want to go deeper and not just know facts, but really get to know God himself? The possibilities for personal study and devotion are endless and sometimes overwhelming. Our guests share their favorite ways to study God’s Word, how they’ve experienced transformation through it, and what has helped them dig deeper along the way.

Trauma Aware: A Christian’s Guide to Providing Help and Care

Culture: Understanding the Effects of Trauma

Trauma has many forms, and many of us have experienced it on some level. Whether neglect, violence, abuse, injury or tragedy, trauma can be difficult to identify and even harder to process and heal. Licensed professional counselor Eliza Huie joins us to define trauma, demonstrate how to name it, and explain how Christians can respond appropriately to ensure we or others get the help we need.

Visit Eliza’s Website

Inbox: A Thorn in the Flesh

In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul describes his metaphorical “thorn in the flesh.” What exactly did he mean by that and subsequent phrases like, “When I am weak, then I am strong”? Counselor Jerry Jones weighs in.

Take The Technology Addiction Assessment

Give This Up for Lent: Episode 892 Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

A challenge to ditch your screens, plus a conversation on sexuality and the church, and when your friend says she’s bisexual and a Christian.

Featured musical artist: Je’kob

Roundtable: Join Our Screen Fast

In anticipation of Lent, our friends at Plugged Inhave teed up a screen fast. Wanna join? If taking a break from digital devices including your smartphone, tablet, TV and gaming console sounds challenging (work exceptions are OK), then this fast may be for you. Two Plugged In team members plus our friend Georgia join us for an honest assessment of our own screen usage and what it might look like to pause for a week and prioritize the real world.

Link to Bring Your Bible’s Instagram Page

Link to Plugged In Website

Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design and Why It Matters

Culture: Discussing Sex in Church

Sex is a difficult topic to talk about — especially at church. But the Bible has a lot to say about it, and sadly, sexual sin doesn’t stay outside the church walls. Ellen Dykas is single and part of a ministry dedicated to conversations and restoration around sex, including addiction. She talks with us about how the church can champion a healthy and biblical framework for sexuality and how it can offer healing to the sexually broken.

Visit Ellen’s Website

Harvest USA’s Online Courses

Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design and Why It Matters

Inbox: When a Christian Friend Says She’s Bisexual

If your friend is dating the same gender but still claims to be a Christian, how do you respond? Jeff Johnston weighs in.