The Boundless Show

Enjoying your family at Christmas, plus a Q&A with Jonathan Pokluda, and is it wrong to be attracted to others when you’re engaged? Featured musical artist: Daniel Bashta ( https://www.danielbashta.com/welcome ) Roundtable: Making Peace With Family at Christmas While getting together with your family for the holidays can be fun, it can also be challenging. What do you do when your family members don’t get along, or you’re the only Christian around the dinner table? Our guests discuss ways they’ve learned to compromise, set expectations, and enjoy quality time with their families, even when it’s not easy. Culture: Q&A With Pastor Jonathan Pokluda As a pastor and former leader of The Porch, Jonathan “JP” Pokluda has a lot of experience helping young adults. In this fun and thought-provoking conversation, we ask him a variety of questions on topics like: where young adults need to mature, how to develop spiritual rhythms in life, the importance of church, and how he navigates the temptation to be a “celebrity” pastor. Inbox: A Wandering Eye? Her fiancé recently proposed after three years of dating. Before their engagement, she only had eyes for him. However, since getting engaged, she’s noticing other guys and is tempted to compare them to her man. Is this normal or sinful? Counselor Joannie DeBrito weighs in. Counseling consultation and referrals: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/counseling-services-and-referrals/

Part two of a difficult pro-life story, plus teaching men to pursue marriage, and when your date reveals childhood abuse. Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship ( https://covenantchurch.org/whatwedo/worship/ ) Roundtable: The Hard Side of Choosing Life (Part 2) High school sweethearts at a Christian school, they seemed to be heading toward a bright future. Then came the news that they were pregnant. When faced with this reality, Jarod and Glory Adducci had a big decision to make: have the baby and forever alter their life plans, or choose abortion — something they had said they would never do. Listen to part two of Jarod and Glory’s powerful story. Option Ultrasound ( https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/option-ultrasound-program-2/ ) Culture: A Mentor for Young Men Shortly after his wife, Lori, died, Chris Peardon felt God calling him to teach young men lessons he learned in his own 33-year marriage. He started a small group with men from his church, and together they’ve talked through how to relate to women, how to prepare for marriage, and how to date well. In this thought-provoking conversation, Chris shares some of the principles he’s taught and the outcomes he’s seen. Inbox: Dating After Childhood Sexual Abuse The guy she likes recently shared that he was sexually abused as a young boy. Out of the pain he experienced, he struggled with same-sex attraction and pornography before becoming a Christian. Even though he’s grown immensely, she’s wondering, “Has he truly healed from his past?” Counselor M.T. Wilson weighs in. Counseling consultation and referrals: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/counseling-services-and-referrals/

Part one of a difficult pro-life story, plus accepting grace after an abortion, and honoring God with your sexuality as a single adult. Featured musical artist: David Baloche ( https://www.louderthanthemusic.com/product.php?id=2437 ) Roundtable: The Hard Side of Choosing Life (Part 1) High school sweethearts at a Christian school, they seemed to be heading toward a bright future. Then came the news that they were pregnant. When faced with this reality, Jarod and Glory Adducci had a big decision to make: have the baby and forever alter their life plans, or choose abortion — something they had said they would never do. Listen to part one of Jarod and Glory’s powerful story. Culture: When You Regret a Past Abortion Behind every abortion is a story. For many, that story is filled with trauma, shame and regret. But even in the midst of the tears, God forgives and shows grace. Greg Smalley and Joanna Brown share their journeys through abortion including the resulting fallout and the restoration only God could provide. Post-Abortive Recovery Resources: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-boundless-2021-11-01?refcd=1283701 Inbox: Sexual Energy and the Single Christian Sexual desire is a gift from God. But what do you do with those desires as a single person? Is there a productive way to channel sexual energy outside of marriage? Counselor Glenn Lutjens offers some thoughts on the subject. John Thorington's Inbox: https://www.boundless.org/podcast/money-motivators-episode-511/ Counseling consultation and referrals: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/counseling-services-and-referrals/

Guys on being friends with girls, plus finding stability in a transient world, and losing a parent when you're single. Featured musical artist: Kerrie Roberts ( https://kerrieroberts.com/ ) Roundtable: Being Friends With Girls Having friends of the opposite gender can be a lot of fun, but without healthy boundaries and respect, things will quickly get weird. We brought in a panel of guys who describe what it's like to be friends with girls their age. They'll address expectations, appropriate attitudes and behaviors, ways to avoid the awkward "friend zone" and more. Culture: Growing Roots (Part 2) We've all heard the myth, "The grass is greener on the other side." We laugh, but if we're honest, we've all believed it in some way. But what if true joy and fulfillment comes in being content where God has put us today? In part two of our conversation, Pastor Daniel Grothe shares about finding stability with family, making time for meaningful friendships, and what it looks like to find a life-giving church. Inbox: Losing a Parent as a Single Person She recently lost her dad and is feeling lonely. He was not only a great friend and fix-it guy, but since she is single, he was the main man in her life. Is moving on even possible during the grief process? Lisa Anderson weighs in with some hope and encouragement. Counseling consultation and referrals: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/counseling-services-and-referrals/

Girls on being friends with guys, plus finding stability in a transient world, and when your personality interferes with dating. Featured musical artist: David Dunn ( http://www.daviddunnmusic.com/ ) Roundtable: Being Friends with Guys Having friends of the opposite gender can be a lot of fun, but without healthy boundaries and respect, things will quickly get weird. We brought in a panel of girls (heads-up: next week is the guys' turn) who describe what it's like to be friends with guys their age. They'll address expectations, appropriate attitudes and behaviors, ways to avoid the awkward "friend zone" and more. Culture: Growing Roots (Part 1) We've all heard the myth, "The grass is greener on the other side." We laugh, but if we're honest, we've all believed it in some way. But what if true joy and fulfillment comes in being content where God has put us today? In part one of our conversation, Pastor Daniel Grothe shows us that our futures aren't necessarily somewhere else, how he's found joy in the here and now, and why many church saints throughout history were effective by simply staying put. Inbox: Is Being Type A a Dating Downfall? She's been told by past boyfriends that the traits which make her good at her job — specifically her ability to problem solve and having a stubborn streak — make her bad at dating. Is a personality overhaul in order? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in. Counseling consultation and referrals: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/counseling-services-and-referrals/

Enjoy the holidays without going broke, plus a pastor's take on depression, and tips for beating burnout. Featured musical artist: Aaron Shust ( https://www.aaronshust.com/ ) Roundtable: Save Money This Christmas The holidays are fun, but they're also very expensive. Between gifts, travel expenses and parties, it can feel like you're drowning in expenses. To help solve this dilemma, we brought in some friends who shared what helps them enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank. They'll also discuss how some of the best gifts don't require spending money at all. Culture: How a Pastor Beat Depression There's a myth in Christian circles that pastors shouldn't struggle with depression. To debunk that theory, pastor Chris Hodges talks to us about times when he felt like he was trapped in a dark cave with no way out. Using the story of Elijah from the Old Testament, Chris shares the ins and outs of this common struggle, plus hope for life beyond its lows. Inbox: Beating Burnout Millennials and Gen Z adults are regularly referred to as the "burnout generation." With so much to do and so little time to do it, is rest even possible? Counselor Jenny Coffey weighs in with some practical ideas for beating burnout. Counseling Consultation and Referrals: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/counseling-services-and-referrals/

Beating cynicism during the holidays, plus more on taming the anxiety monster, and when is it time to change your career? Featured musical artist: Mosaic MSC Roundtable: Don't Be a Grinch The holiday season can be a lot of fun, but it's also a time when negativity and depression unexpectedly creep in. Between stress, discouragement, unmet expectations and other pressures, it's easy to get angry and overwhelmed. Our guests admit their struggles with cynicism during the holidays, but have ultimately found ways to reframe their perspectives and infuse the season with peace and joy. Culture: Peace in an Anxious World (Part 2) Anxiety in today's world is at an all-time high — especially among young adults. Whether money, work, relationships or the future, there's always something to worry about. Is there a way to find calm in the storm? Pastor David Marvin is one of the leaders of The Porch — the largest church gathering of young adults in the U.S. — and he's passionate about finding peace and helping others do the same. In part two of our conversation, he shares what Scripture says about beating anxiety and how to overcome it in the areas of dating, career and money. Inbox: Time to Change Careers? She's working a stressful job as a nurse, and thinks it might be time to pull the plug. But how much should job stress be a factor in whether or not to change your career? Are there other options? Counselor Easton Coleman weighs in.

In praise of game nights, plus taming the anxiety monster, and do mental health struggles mean you’re not ready to date? Featured musical artist: Nathan Tasker Roundtable: How to Host a Game Night Playing games can deepen friendships, create fun memories and brighten an otherwise ho-hum week. We brought in a panel of guests who’ve hosted friends for party games, strategy games, card games and more. They'll give a few of their favorite game recommendations, plus tips on how to invite and include friends in the fun, what food to serve, and how to please both the competitive and casual game-players in your midst. Culture: Peace in an Anxious World (Part 1) Anxiety in today’s world is at an all-time high — especially among young adults. Whether money, work, relationships or the future, there's always something to worry about. Is there a way to find calm in the storm? Pastor David Marvin is one of the leaders of The Porch — the largest church gathering of young adults in the U.S. — and he's passionate about finding peace and helping others do the same. In part one of our conversation, he shares how we got so anxious, why some things seem scarier than others, and yes, why he even dreaded his own honeymoon. Inbox: Dating With Mental Health Struggles She wants to date but is struggling with her mental health. Since the fight may never stop, will it disqualify her from ever being in a serious relationship? Counselor Jenny Coffey weighs in.

When you should confront someone, plus a psychiatrist on the topic of suicide, and taking initiative vs. letting God run your love life. Featured musical artist: Danen Kane Roundtable: Christians and Confrontation Conflict. It happens, though most of us avoid it when we can. But sticking our heads in the proverbial sand won't accomplish anything. Instead, conflict and confrontation are a part of life, and the Bible has wisdom for how Christians should approach disagreements and even sin in one another. Our guests discuss conflicts and confrontations they've encountered and how they navigated hard conversations with grace. This discussion is a necessary primer for anyone who wants to mature in their relationships. Culture: An Honest Look at Suicide Suicide statistics are at an all-time high worldwide. Most of us know of someone – perhaps even a pastor or Christian leader – who has taken their own life, leaving us to wonder: Why is this happening? Is there anything we can do? How can we recognize acute depression and suicidal thoughts in ourselves and our friends, and what’s the best course of action when we do? Psychiatrist Karl Benzio gives us tools to rightly understand and address the warning signs of suicide. Inbox: Trying Hard and Trusting God He's trying to be more intentional about meeting girls and dating, but could he be trying too hard? Is there a balance between taking initiative in dating versus letting God be in charge? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Practical ways to stay healthy as a young adult, plus Skillet's John Cooper on discerning truth, and how much do women want to be pursued? Featured musical artist: Ginny Owens Roundtable: Staying Healthy in Your 20s and 30s You're young, you're busy – you really don't have time or money to eat right, exercise, or visit the doctor. You can worry about that later, right? Not according to our panel of medical and fitness experts. They say that the habits you form now will pay off in the future – stuff like eating healthy, getting proper rest, and setting up wellness visits with a doctor. Get a jump start on your whole-body health with practical tips from our wellness pros. Culture: Being a Bold Witness for Christ As the lead singer of the world famous rock band Skillet, John Cooper knows firsthand the pressures of today's culture. Years ago, when his band was just becoming famous, a music executive promised John fame if he would "stop talking about Jesus." But John knew that doing so would compromise everything he believed. In this powerful conversation, Cooper shares ways we can stand strong for truth in a relativistic world. Inbox: Do Women Want to Be Pursued? He's trying online dating, but the women he talks to eventually seem to lose interest. Even when conversations start out fine, they eventually drop off. Don't women want to be pursued? Lisa Anderson weighs in.