The Boundless Show

Tips for saving money on your next vacation, plus navigating the seasons of dating, and when your dream job feels out of reach. Featured musical artist: All Sons & DaughtersRoundtable: Saving Money on VacationNow that COVID restrictions are easing up, we are traveling again — especially on vacation. But the age-old question remains: Can I go on a trip without spending too much? Our panel of seasoned travelers is here to share insider tips for vacationing far and near on a budget. If you’re looking to travel anytime soon, you’ll want to listen in.      Culture: Seasons of a Dating RelationshipJust like the weather changes throughout the year, dating relationships also go through seasons. Some seasons are filled with excitement and joy, while others feel chilly and distant. Licensed professional counselor Debra Fileta has a passion for helping single adults do relationships well. Using spring, summer, fall and winter as her guide, she describes the unique patterns couples can expect in a dating relationship.    Inbox: Should He Go For His Dream Job?He wants to work at a non-profit organization, but getting there won’t be an easy task. Should he take a step of faith and go for it, or stay where he’s currently working and wait? Human resources expert Marshonda Dixon weighs in.

A special tribute to our fans on episode 700, plus more about intentional friendships and dating, and why won’t guys ask girls out?Featured musical artist: Love and the Outcome Roundtable: It’s Our 700th EpisodeAfter more than 13 years, Boundless is now 700 episodes strong! To celebrate, we asked you, our fans, to send in your comments about ways our show has helped you navigate the ins and outs of adulthood. Listen in for some fun testimonials from Boundless listeners as well as a few favorite memories from Boundless staffers.     Culture: Intentional Relationships (Part 2)As a single adult, your life is full of opportunities to cultivate life-giving relationships. Whether it’s making good friends, searching for a spouse, or preparing for marriage, it’s a wonderful time to lay a solid foundation for your relational future. Dan Houk and Kris Swiatocho are passionate about helping Christian singles build healthy friendships and date well. In part two of our conversation, they explain something called “intentional friendships,” show how to move from friendship to dating, and outline what a healthy dating relationship looks like.    Inbox: Waiting for Him to Make a MoveShe’s noticing a pattern in her circle of friends: A girl really likes a guy, but he won’t ask the girl out. Is it wrong for girls to hope guys will change their minds? If not, how long should a girl wait? Josh Zeichik weighs in.

Marriage expectations versus reality, plus intentional friendships and dating, and should she take back her ex after getting dumped?Featured musical artist: JJ Heller Roundtable: Marriage Expectations Meet RealityIt’s easy to daydream about a wedding and what a great marriage will look like. Romantic settings, expensive dates, love that lasts for decades. Those thoughts make you feel good, but how realistic are they? To discuss the reality of marriage, we brought in some newly-married couples to share about their experiences with the realities of marriage. They’ll share ways marriage has been both more challenging than they thought but also better than they expected.   Culture: Intentional Relationships (Part 1)As a single adult, your life is full of opportunities to cultivate life-giving relationships. Whether it’s making good friends, searching for a spouse, or preparing for marriage, it’s a wonderful time to lay a solid foundation for your relational future. Dan Houk and Kris Swiatocho are passionate about helping Christian singles build healthy friendships and date well. In part one of our conversation, they discuss their own experiences with dating, why relationships fail, and how to recognize your own blind spots.   Inbox: Give Your Ex a Second Chance?She’s still reeling over how he dumped her for another girl. However, he’s apologized and wants her back. Should she give him a second chance? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

Struggling with inferiority, plus the value of being a Christian “nobody,” and his girlfriend’s past eating disorder still bothers him.   Featured musical artist: About a MileRoundtable: Think You Don’t Measure Up?Another engagement announcement on social media, a married couple you know is expecting, and your best friend just landed a new job. While you celebrate your friends, deep inside you wonder, “Will it ever be my turn? Maybe I’m just not good enough.” Our panel shares how they’ve wrestled with those feelings in relationships and beyond, yet learned to overcome feelings of inferiority and despair.   Culture: Christians Behind the ScenesIt’s easy to think that God only uses those with a platform. The well-known pastor, the social media influencer, the worship leader on stage at big conferences. But what about those who are faithfully serving God when nobody knows their name? Dr. Jeff Iorg reminds us how God uses unknown people in big ways. He should know; he was led to Christ by one.  Inbox: Eating Disorders & DatingHis girlfriend previously had an eating disorder, and he’s concerned she still struggles but won’t admit it. What should he do? Counselor Elaine Humphries weighs in.

Healthy conversations with homosexual friends, plus responding to rejection in dating, and when your crush works at your church.     Featured musical artist: John WallerRoundtable: Grace-Filled Conversations With LGBT FriendsBack in February, our panel shared how same-sex attraction has impacted them and those they know. The panel returns this week to discuss how to have healthy, grace-filled conversations with those who identify as LGBT. Especially relevant now during Pride Month, their ideas provide a framework for loving our SSA family members and friends while still standing for biblical truth. Homosexuality ResourcesBook: Is God Anti-Gay? by Sam AllberryBook: Loving My (LGBT) Neighbor by Glenn T. StantonCulture: Rejection in DatingIt’s one of the worst parts about dating: getting rejected. You invest so much emotional energy and put hope in the process — only to have it all come crashing down. Kait Warman is the host of the Heart of Dating podcast and has lots of experience with overcoming rejection. In this candid conversation, she shares how to manage your emotions when you’ve been rejected and what it looks like to find your identity in Christ. Inbox: Church Staff CrushHe recently moved to start an internship at a church. It just so happens that one of the girls on staff has caught his eye. Is it too soon to make a move? How can he get to know her without coming across too strong? Lisa Anderson offers advice.

Responding appropriately to requests for prayer, plus how our culture’s sex narrative came to be, and does location hurt her dating chances?Featured musical artist: Tauren Wells Roundtable: Responding to a Prayer RequestSome are serious, some are “unspoken,” and others are just plain awkward. Yes, we’re talking about prayer requests. As Christians, we’re called to pray for people, but how should we respond when asked to pray for that deeply personal request in our small group? What about random requests on social media? What about something we’re not sure we even agree with? Our guests share their experiences around the pain and privilege of praying for others.         Culture: Who Defines Sex, Anyway?As the world keeps “progressing” in its definition of sexuality and sexual expression, the lines between black and white are turning gray. Jeff Grenell is a passionate youth leader who reminds us that regardless of what the culture does, God’s standard for sexuality remains consistent. With clear explanations, he discusses how several sexual revolutions (some historic, some current) have affected young adults today, and how we can discern truth from lies.Inbox: Keeping Hope for MarriageShe lives in a small town and feels like there aren’t many Christian guys to choose from. She feels called to stay put, so what should she do when her options are so limited? Lisa Anderson offers a dose of encouragement.

Finding family as a Christian single, plus pastors discuss how to respond when a Christian leader falls, and overcoming different backgrounds and sin struggles in dating.   Featured musical artist: Zach Williams Roundtable: Finding Family as a SingleSingleness can feel lonely, but it also has unique opportunities for wonderful friendships. While you might not have found that special someone yet, you still have amazing chances to make last memories and connect with friends who feel like family. Our guests share how they’ve learned to find family as a single Christian after moving to a new town. They’ll also discuss how they’re learning to combat feelings of loneliness.       Culture: When a Pastor or Christian Leader Falls (Part 2)It’s become an all-too-common headline: another pastor caught in a scandal — whether sexual, financial, an abuse of power, or some other egregious failure. For certain followers, the news is so devastating, they walk away from the church. The rest of us are left to ask: What do I do? Are there any faithful leaders left? Can I trust my own pastor, or will he be next? We brought in a panel of pastors to answer the hard questions. In part two this week, they’ll address whether someone can be a Christian after a big moral slide, and how to respond when a leader fails us.        Inbox: Different Backgrounds in DatingShe’s dating a solid Christian guy, but wonders if their pasts disqualify them from dating? For one, he struggled with a porn addiction, which he has dealt with. Plus, her dad is skeptical that their background differences could eventually cause problems in the relationship. Counselor Patrick Hill offers hope and gives some practical thoughts.

Landing a great job, plus more from Greg and Michael Smalley on guys and relationships, and should your parents be involved in your love life?   Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship Roundtable: Finding Your Dream JobOne of the most intimidating journeys is the job search. You want that dream career, but questions churn in your head: How do I get hired? Will I nail or fail the interview? Will I be told I need more experience? To help settle the questions and bring practical advice, we brought in a team of hiring experts. As professionals on the lookout for great recruits, they’ll discuss how to job-hunt, network, interview, and stay positive when you feel discouraged in the process.      Culture: How Guys Do Relationships (Part 2)It’s a common perception that guys are less competent at relationships than girls. But what if that’s not the case? Marriage experts Greg Smalley and Michael Smalley compare the ways men communicate to a set of tools, and give some insights on how to use those tools efficiently. They also get real about the trials and errors of learning to communicate with the women in their lives. And ladies, if you’ve ever wondered how to talk to guys, you’ll want to tune in.      Inbox: Parents’ Involvement in DatingShe’s in her second dating relationship, but Mom and Dad always want to offer advice. It’s to a point where it feels like they’re “helicopter parents.” How can she get some peace and privacy? Counselor Jenny Coffey offers ways to respect yet set healthy boundaries with parents when you’re in a dating relationship.

Getting real about the dangers of pornography, plus Greg and Michael Smalley on guys and relationships, and advice for relating to your parents.Featured musical artist: Hollyn Roundtable: When Pornography Controls You (Part 2)According to Barna, over 60% of Christian men say they’ve viewed pornography within the last month. But before you ladies start pointing fingers, statistics also show that an increasing number of Christian women are falling prey to sexualized content and entertainment, whether online pornography or more subtle and insidious offerings like the Fifty Shades franchise. With such a pervasive problem, how can people find true freedom? In part two of a two-week discussion, our panel discusses how porn affects men and women differently, and what it means to truly defeat porn versus simply “managing” it.      For a free counseling consultation, check out Boundless.org/counselingCulture: How Guys Do Relationships (Part 1)It’s a common perception that guys are less competent at relationships than girls. But what if that’s not the case? Marriage experts Greg Smalley and Michael Smalley compare the ways men communicate to a set of tools, and give some insights on how to use those tools efficiently. They also get real about the trials and errors of learning to communicate with the women in their lives. And ladies, if you’ve ever wondered how to talk to guys, you’ll want to tune in.      Inbox: Having a Healthy Relationship With Your ParentsWhen you become an adult, maintaining a mature, respectful relationship with your parents can be a struggle. So how do you do it? Lisa Anderson weighs in with some practical tips.