Author, speaker, and Bible teacher, Jennifer Rothschild joins host Stephanie Daniels to share her story of literally walking by faith and not by sight. Since losing her sight at age 15, Jennifer hasn’t let blindness stop her from seeing and sharing God’s goodness. You will be encouraged by their conversation and reminded to trust God even when life doesn’t look like what you planned. And that God’s strength shines brightest in our weakness and hope can bloom in the darkest places.

Amber Smith, wife of former country music artist, Granger Smith joins Stephanie Daniels to share about her book, The Girl on the Bathroom Floor: Held Together when Everything is Falling Apart. Amber shares her deeply personal experience of losing her three-year-old son, River, and God’s faithfulness to her in the pit of despair. Her story will encourage you to hold onto the hope that God is near, even when it feels quiet, and that the bathroom floor is not the end—it’s just the beginning.

Dr. Jason Kolb and his wife Amy know firsthand about unexpected turns in life. In January 2023 Jason took a wrong turn at high speed while skiing and landed at the bottom of a 20-foot drop. As an ER doctor, Jason knew he was paralyzed from the chest down and had broken several ribs. Jason and Amy join Stephanie Daniels to share their journey of discovering God's sufficient grace in ways they never could have planned. Their conversation will encourage, challenge, and remind you that no matter what you face, God's grace really is enough.

Shawn Thornton, our Joni and Friends President and Chief Ministry Officer returns to the podcast to share his experience and insight on disability ministry in the church. Raised with disability in his immediate family, Shawn has a unique perspective on how the church should care for people who live with disability. Hear how God has used his personal experience to grow him as a pastor and prepare him to reach the global church through his role with Joni and Friends.

If you've ever wondered where is God in the middle of your pain, or if your story has purpose, don’t miss this conversation with Shawn Thornton, our Joni and Friends President and Chief Ministry Officer. Shawn joins host Stephanie Daniels on the podcast to share his raw and redemptive story of growing up with a mother who had suffered a traumatic brain injury. Reflecting on his childhood experiences, which he describes in his book, All But Normal: Life on Victory Road, Shawn recounts how God used challenging life circumstances to shape his heart and call him into ministry, first as a pastor and now in leadership at Joni and Friends.

Vaneetha Risner is no stranger to suffering. Having lived through polio, the loss of a child, and multiple miscarriages, she has wrestled with God and learned to trust in his goodness. Vaneetha joins Stephanie Daniels to share about her journey and how she has continued to hope in God through the darkness of deep pain. Their encouraging conversation will remind you that God sees you and reassure you that you never have to suffer alone.

Kay Warren, known for cofounding Saddleback Church with her husband, Pastor Rick Warren, joins Stephanie Daniels to discuss a deeply personal topic. Kay is the mother of three adult children, including Matthew who lost his life to suicide at age 27 after years of chronic depression. Having walked beside her son through his suffering, and survived the anguish of his death, Kay has experienced firsthand the need for the church, and all believers, to extend compassionate support to people facing mental health struggles. Tune in for this critical call for the body of Christ to support people who battle with depression, suicidal ideation, and despair—providing the love and hope of Jesus in moments of deepest darkness.

Army Chaplain and special needs dad Matt McCraney joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about how the body of Christ can better embrace people living with disabilities. Bringing personal, biblical, and academic perspectives, Matt identifies barriers that keep disabled people from finding their places of belonging in the church and he offers practical ways Christians can better demonstrate the love of Jesus to those living with disability.

Lars Nelson, a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet, joins Stephanie Daniels to share about his faith journey, career, and passion to see people with disabilities served and included by the church. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he began dance training at the age of 11, studied at the School of American Ballet, then joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in 2011. He is husband to Tanya and also brother to Eric, who lives with cerebral palsy.

Author, speaker, and special needs mom Jess Ronne joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about her family’s story of beauty emerging from the ashes. She also offer insight into tangible ways to support families facing difficult seasons. Jess is the founder of The Lucas Project, named after her son with profound disabilities, which provides recognition and respite for parent caregivers. She and her husband Ryan, both of whom lost spouses to cancer before blending their families, have eight children, an encouraging story of finding hope through hardship, and a heart to serve others coping with deep and complex suffering.

Meet special needs parents, business partners, and Christ-loving power couple Clifton (Cliff) and Lorraine Marshall. In an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Daniels, Cliff and Lorraine share about meeting on a blind date, forming a blended family, raising a child with a disability, and growing in faith—and love for one another—through life’s seasons and challenges. Tune in to be encouraged in your career, family life, and daily struggles and be equipped with Scriptures to bring you fresh hope and joy.

Larah Roberts, a dedicated mom, wife, and Christ-centered disability advocate, joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about raising children with autism as thriving followers of Jesus. Larah shares from her own family’s experience and her wisdom as the founder of the organization Raising Autistic Disciples. Don’t miss Larah’s heartfelt encouragement for individuals, churches, and communities to fully include, support, and disciple families navigating life with disability.

On a breezy July day in 1990, Joni Eareckson Tada joined fellow advocates from the National Council on Disability to witness a historic moment: President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA). For Joni, this was more than legislation—it was the culmination of tireless work that could open doors for millions of Americans with disabilities. Listen as Joni reflects on the power of the law compared to the power of the Gospel: while the law can change discriminatory structures, the Gospel is the only thing that can change hearts, bringing about culture change that provides true belonging for people living with disability.

Maggie Bushway is a picture of overcoming hardship and radical trust in God. After surviving childhood brain cancer, and still living with seizures and autoimmune diseases, Maggie uses her pain to tell stories that give hope to others. Maggie joins host Stephanie Daniels on the podcast to talk about her journey and how she has seen God make pearls out of the deep suffering in her life. Don’t miss this encouraging conversation that will help you discover purpose, hope, and deeper faith amid any struggle you may face.

As a typically developing three-year-old, Abigail Brown contracted Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Although her parents were told that she would recover fully, doctors soon discovered that Abigail had sustained brain damage from her illness, which left her with dystonia, meaning she would never talk with her mouth again. Through the physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles that have come through her disability, Abigail has learned to trust God to get “unstuck.” Listen as Abigail (with the help of her communication device) talks with host Stephanie Daniels about how to find joy and peace by trusting God’s plan and purpose, even when life doesn’t seem to make sense.

Joni and Friends staff member Ricardo Diaz joins host Stephanie Daniels to talk about how the ministry empowers and mobilizes our amazing volunteers to bring hands-on help and Gospel hope to people living with disability worldwide. With contagious enthusiasm, Ricardo shares how investment in training, encouragement, and cultivating a sense of belonging among volunteers translates into life-changing impact, for the volunteers themselves and the people we serve. Don’t miss this energizing conversation—and be sure to explore the many ways you can volunteer with Joni and Friends!

Sarah Fuller returns to the podcast to share how, with three biological children of their own, she and her husband sensed God calling to also serve as foster parents. Sarah tells how her whole family has taken part in loving and sheltering children in foster care, and welcomed a child with disabilities into their family permanently through adoption. Tune in for this inspiring conversation about how God can use a faithful “yes” to weave his grace and redemption into stories of complexity and brokenness.

Sarah Fuller joins Stephanie Daniels to share her story of God’s faithfulness in calling her into missions, special education, and disability ministry. As a mom, Sarah has invited her children into service opportunities—often volunteering with Joni and Friends—which has shaped their hearts and the trajectories of their lives. Sarah shares how God uses everything from childhood dreams to disappointments to deep experiences of grief to guide and direct the steps of those who love and trust him.

Randy Schwartz joins Stephanie Daniels to share about coming to faith as an adult, being a special needs dad and devoted husband, and learning to trust God with all aspects of life. When his younger son was born with spina bifida, Randy and his wife turned to Jesus, relying on his grace day by day. Don’t miss this encouraging conversation that highlights God’s loving care for every detail of our lives.

Have you ever felt like unwelcome disruptions are an off-ramp from God’s purposes in your life? When illness, trouble, and tragedy strike, it can be easily to question what the Lord has in store—and how he will work for good in the midst of hardships that pull you “off track.” Mandy Meehan returns to the podcast to share how God has led her through unexpected chronic illness to a path of healing, which now includes serving others as a certified nutritional expert. Tune in to hear how Mandy has leaned on God as her unshakeable refuge, and how you can find peace and healing amid your own struggles.