Words of Life: Weekly Christian Podcast with Testimonies & Teachings from the Salvation Army

What do you do when your child starts asking questions about faith, God, the Bible, or even whether they believe at all anymore? In this episode of Words of Life, our Back to School series continues with an honest conversation about helping children and teenagers develop a faith that is truly their own. As kids grow older, they encounter new ideas, difficult experiences, outside influences, and questions that can challenge the faith they were taught as children. For Christian parents, those questions can be scary. But doubt and questions don't necessarily mean a child is walking away from God. In fact, asking questions can be an important part of developing a mature and lasting faith. Resources: www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health/for-families www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/guides/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/ childmind.org/resources www.schoolsafety.gov/mental-health Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Twenty-five years ago, the United States experienced the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Thousands of lives were lost, families were changed forever, and a nation was left grieving and searching for hope. In this special episode of Words of Life, we remember September 11th through the experiences of people who witnessed the attacks and participated in The Salvation Army’s response in the days and weeks that followed. From Ground Zero in New York City to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Salvation Army teams provided meals, water, emergency relief supplies, emotional and spiritual care, and a compassionate presence to firefighters, first responders, military personnel, volunteers, families, and others affected by the tragedy. The Salvation Army also served people stranded across the country and in Canada when hundreds of flights were diverted following the attacks. Joining us for this special episode- Jeff Jellets, Major Ethan Frizzell, and Major Otis Childs. Learn more about The Salvation Army’s disaster services at https://salarmyeds.org/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode our panel of teachers and parents discuss practical ways parents can support their children’s emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being in the ordinary rhythms of family life. The conversation centers on building trust, making space for honest conversations, creating room for fun, and making wise choices around phones and schedules. It’s a parenting discussion with a strong emphasis on relationship, consistency, and teamwork. Key topics Supporting kids emotionally is different from supporting them academically, and both matter. Letting kids talk first, then listening before trying to solve the problem, helps build trust. Timing matters when asking questions, and consistency helps kids learn the door is always open. Family dinner, prayer requests, and praying for one another help children feel known and teach empathy. Resources: www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health/for-families www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/guides/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/ childmind.org/resources www.schoolsafety.gov/mental-health Timestamps 00:00 - Words of Life opens and sets up a parenting conversation on emotional health 00:26 - Why this episode shifts from academic support to emotional support 01:19 - Letting kids talk first and listening before offering solutions 02:12 - Consistency, timing, and playful questions that lower barriers 03:04 - Family dinner as a built-in place for prayer and empathy 03:52 - How counseling can create safe space for deeper struggles 04:48 - Parents, counselors, teachers, and youth leaders working together 05:42 - Why overscheduling crowds out natural conversation 06:40 - Choosing relationship over productivity and performance 07:56 - Making room for joy, games, and fun in family life 08:40 - Why parents should want kids to enjoy spending time with them 09:40 - The changing pull of home, family, and social connection in Gen Alpha 11:09 - Phone habits, classroom engagement, and the cost of easy access 12:37 - Parenting requires hard choices, and sometimes the unpopular one is the loving one Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we focus on how parents can support their children academically without making performance feel like identity. It covers practical ways to work with teachers, understand the real reasons behind struggling grades, and encourage independence, especially as kids get older. It also addresses how AI is changing schoolwork and why those conversations need to start early. Key topics Parents often focus on grades and assignments, but the deeper goal is helping kids grow without linking worth to performance. One major theme is resisting the urge to rescue children from struggle, since doing too much can keep them from learning resilience. Technology now gives parents more school visibility than ever through notifications, grade trackers, and teacher posted class guides, but that can also create information overload. The conversation emphasizes that knowing the assignment is not the same as understanding what a child is learning or taking away from it. Resources: www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health/for-families www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/guides/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/ childmind.org/resources www.schoolsafety.gov/mental-health Timestamps 00:00 - Episode introduction: helping kids without tying identity to achievement 01:17 - Parents rescuing too much and why struggle matters 02:13 - School apps, grade trackers, and the problem of information overload 03:09 - Why conversation matters more than assignment scores 03:38 - Why parents need to talk with kids about AI use now 04:35 - AI as a tool, not a replacement for learning 05:33 - Creativity, thinking, and the risk of outsourcing too much 06:29 - Separating a child’s identity from a bad grade 07:28 - When and how parents should contact the teacher 08:20 - Asking questions with curiosity instead of accusation 09:44 - Supporting kids through social and emotional stressors 10:40 - Bringing in guidance counselors when needed 11:08 - Getting to the real why behind academic struggles 12:06 - Celebrating progress, effort, and small wins 12:35 - Finding and nurturing each child’s strengths 13:05 - Why an 89 can still be worth celebrating 13:53 - Closing remarks and support information Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

For many families, it's easy to focus on grades. But lasting success is about much more than report cards. This week our panel discusses: Why every child's academic journey looks different How belonging impacts learning The importance of relationships with teachers and classmates Why employers increasingly value communication and teamwork Helping children through "productive struggle" Supporting homework without taking over Teaching responsibility and independence Parents don't have to have all the answers. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give our children is the confidence to work through challenges while knowing we're there to support them. Join us as we continue our Back to School series. RESOURCES: www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health/for-families www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/guides/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/ childmind.org/resources www.schoolsafety.gov/mental-health Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As another school year begins, many families are experiencing a mix of excitement, nerves, and uncertainty. How can parents help their children navigate the challenges of a new year while staying grounded in their faith? In this special Words of Life panel discussion, we're joined by parents, a veteran high school teacher, and a licensed mental health counselor who share practical encouragement for every stage of the school journey. Our panel includes Heather Hanton, Melissa Powell, Daynes Crouch and Matt Crouch. Together, they discuss what children and parents are really feeling, how students have changed over the years, and simple ways families can intentionally prepare their hearts for the year ahead. Whether your child is entering elementary school, middle school, high school, or preparing for graduation, this conversation offers biblical encouragement and practical advice to help your family thrive. Resources: www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health/for-families www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/guides/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/ childmind.org/resources www.schoolsafety.gov/mental-health https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How can ordinary people make an extraordinary difference? This week on Words of Life, we conclude our Biblical Justice series by looking beyond the problems and toward the people. Over the past several weeks, we've explored mental health, refugees, human trafficking, correctional ministries, poverty, and homelessness through conversations with ministry leaders serving on the front lines. While each issue is unique, one truth has echoed throughout every episode: People need people. In this final conversation, our panel discusses the vital role the Church can play in breaking cycles of poverty, restoring dignity, and building authentic community. Whether it's mentoring someone, teaching practical life skills, serving families living in extended-stay hotels, connecting individuals with local resources, or simply sharing a meal together, every act of compassion points people toward the love of Christ. You'll also hear inspiring stories of everyday believers making an eternal impact, including teenagers who sacrificed their own Christmas gifts to bless women experiencing homelessness, and churches creating spaces where people find belonging instead of isolation. The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As another school year begins, many families are experiencing a mix of excitement, nerves, and uncertainty. How can parents help their children navigate the challenges of a new year while staying grounded in their faith? In this special Words of Life panel discussion, we're joined by parents, a veteran high school teacher, and a licensed mental health counselor who share practical encouragement for every stage of the school journey. Our panel includes Heather Hanton, Melissa Powell, Daynes Crouch and Matt Crouch. Together, they discuss what children and parents are really feeling, how students have changed over the years, and simple ways families can intentionally prepare their hearts for the year ahead. https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if helping someone isn't enough? What if God calls us to walk alongside them instead? This week on Words of Life, we continue our Biblical Justice series by exploring one of today's most pressing issues: poverty and homelessness. Millions of individuals and families across the United States face housing insecurity, financial hardship, mental health challenges, and generational poverty. But these struggles rarely stem from one cause. They're often the result of multiple crises intersecting at once. In this thoughtful roundtable discussion, our ministry leaders unpack the realities behind poverty, challenge common misconceptions about homelessness, and explore how the Church can move beyond temporary charity toward lasting transformation. Together, they discuss The Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope initiative, a holistic ministry designed to help families break cycles of poverty through case management, church community, and strategic partnerships. The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does true belonging look like? This week on Words of Life, we pause our Biblical Justice roundtable series to share a deeply moving testimony from Hannah Boyd, a young woman whose life has been marked by extraordinary challenges, unwavering faith, and contagious joy. After suffering a traumatic brain injury as an infant, doctors believed Hannah would never walk, talk, or live independently. Yet God had other plans. In this heartfelt conversation with Major Anne Westmoreland, Hannah shares how God carried her through childhood, a devastating mental health crisis, and years of feeling overlooked by churches. She also explains how finding The Salvation Army gave her something she'd been longing for all her life: a place where she wasn't defined by her wheelchair, but loved simply as Hannah. The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.