Episodes
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In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt meets with Dan Alger who is the Canon for Church Planting for the Anglican Church in North America, through which he leads the Always Forward Church Planting Initiative. They discuss the important topic of liturgy in the normal Christian life.
DAN ALGER ONLINE
Dan’s Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Word and Sacrament
Always Forward PodcastFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:30 - Intro
4:31 - What are people most curious to know about the Anglican Church?
7:26 - How does the modern culture see a more liturgical approach to church?
13:59 - Tell me more about what led you to write Word and Sacrament?
20:24 - How would you describe the role of liturgy in the Christian life?
29:23 - What is the potential for good liturgy to impact the Christian life?
35:16. -How can Christians not in a liturgical church start using liturgy in their daily life?
39:16 - Describe how liturgy changed your day already on this Wednesday.
43:28 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt talks with Mike Emlet who practiced as a family physician for over ten years before becoming a counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). They talk about difficult topics like intrusive thoughts and Scrupulosity, and the biblical wisdom that helps us overcome them.
MIKE EMLET ONLINE
Mike’s WebsiteMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Autism Spectrum Disorder (minibook)
Saints, Sinners, and SufferersFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:21 - Why do you describe yourself as a cup half empty kind of guy?
4:25 - What’s the most recent cup-half-empty moment you’ve had?
6:45 - What do you mean when you refer to emotional buoyancy?
10:44 - The Intrusive Problem of Scrupulosity
14:49 - Why are we prone to intrusive, unwanted thoughts?
17:54 - When you counsel scrupulosity, what is the central approach you take?
23:54 - What does growth look like in the area of intrusive thoughts?
27:12 - How do we turn down the volume on intrusive thoughts?
33:55 - In what ways does our embodied nature affect us?
38:35 - Is Mike Emlet a hugger?
41:50 - Farewell -
Missing episodes?
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In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt talks with Eliza Huie, Director of Counseling at McLean Bible Church in Vienna, VA. They discuss Christian self-care, the relentless pressure to keep up with modern life, and the concerning problem of burnout among adults and children.
ELIZA HUIE ONLINE
Eliza’s Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Whole Life
Teens and Anxiety
I’m StressedFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:30 - Welcome
4:00 - What interested you about the topics of self-care and counseling?
9:23 - How can the average person find the best pace for life?
16:00 - Isn't it selfish to practice self-care?
18:30 - Keys Parents Can Use To Build Margin Into Their Kids
21:28 - What are some big emotional struggles parents should watch for?
24:50 - Eliza shares her own story of panic.
31:06 - What reminds you to give better attention to your stress?
35:05 - What have you done to encourage others toward self-awareness?
37:21 - When do I need intensive help for my stress?
41:29 - Farewell -
Preview Season 3 of Straight to the Heart, a podcast from New Growth Press, hosted by Rush Witt. Each episode includes thought-provoking conversations with leading Christian writers and thinkers. We hear who they are, what they believe, how they approach their work and ministry, and the moments and people who have changed their lives. In "Straight to the Heart," we go beyond the books to connect with the remarkable people behind them.
Join us for Season 3 conversations with Randy Alcorn, Joni Eareckson Tada, Adriel Sanchez, Paul Tripp, and more.
Learn more about the podcast here. -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host, Rush Witt, talks with Dr. Curtis Solomon. They dive into the hallmarks of the PTSD experience and key ways biblical counseling has been effective in helping those suffering from PTSD. They also touch on a fascinating historical perspective, discussing PTSD in the context of World War II and the lessons learned from that era.
CURTIS SOLOMON ONLINE
Curtis' Website
Biblical Counseling Coalition
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
I Have PTSD
Redeem Your Marriage
Reclaim Your MarriageFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:50 - Welcome
3:28 - Can you give a brief overview of the BCC and your role in it?
10:03 - Where did your interest in PTSD begin?
17:16 - What are some of the hallmarks of the PTSD experience?
24:57 - Does PTSD usually result from physical trauma?
32:05 - How do you help a person see a difference between hardship and trauma.
37:28 - What are the key ways you’ve seen biblical counseling help people suffering with PTSD.
47:37 - A Final Question About PTSD and WWII
57:11 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, sits down with Dr. Jeremy Pierre, Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Ministry, to talk about the daily help of the Gospel. They discuss the common misunderstandings of the Gospel and how taking small steps to make the gospel central to life offers freedom from pressures to perform for God and comfort during hard times.
JEREMY PIERRE ONLINE
Jeremy’s Website
Instagram
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Shepherding the Pastor
The Gospel-Centered Life Series
The Dynamic Heart in Daily LifeFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:38 - Intro
3:42 - How does the Gospel relate to your very busy life?
5:40 - When do you remember first hearing the gospel?
9:12 - How did the Gospel become "present tense" for you?
12:22 - The Gospel Gap
17:10 - Law and Gospel in Daily Life
19:18 - What would you like to say to little Jeremy in 1987?
22:06 - How can I make basic movements to be more in tune with the daily help of the Gospel?
25:02 - Which personal struggles do you think are driven by our struggle to embrace the Gospel?
31:44 - The Gospel gives freedom and comfort to parents too.
34:30 - How do I counsel myself when I feel the pressure to perform?
38:24 - The Importance of Close Friends for Gospel Encouragements
41:30 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt enjoys a conversation with Juan and Jeanine Sanchez, coauthors of a new book called Reaching Your Child’s Heart: A practical Guide to Faithful Parenting. Juan and Jeanine share wisdom about the value of reading aloud as a family, the importance of being present in our parenting, and finding a balance in our parental discipline–not too much and not too little, lest we provoke our children to anger.
JUAN AND JEANINE SANCHEZ ONLINE
Website
Facebook - Juan and Jeanine
Instagram - Juan and Jeanine
Twitter/X - Juan and JeanineMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Reaching Your Child’s Heart
The Treasure by Marty MachowskiFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:56 - Juan and Jeanine Fall In Love In Florida
6:07 - The Journey of Differences Between 5 Daughters
11:52 - A Key Message Shifted Juan to Be More Present at Home
16:23 - How did reading aloud as a family assist your parenting?
25:37 - What were the discipline influences in your own upbringing?
28:35 - How should parents balance their discipline to avoid provoking children to anger?
36:55 - How can parents model presence and positive instruction?
41:21 - You should not be alone in parenting.
44:04 - There are so many parenting books. Why another?
45:15 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, Adriel Sanchez shares with our host, Rush Witt, how the Lord’s prayer can be used as a fresh and helpful guide for those of us who struggle in our prayer lives. Adriel also shares practical principles that will help you to pray faithfully, as well as the not-so-well-known National Day of Prayer, on Thursday, May 2.
ADRIEL SANCHEZ ONLINE
Adriel’s Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Praying with Jesus
Why Should I Pray?
I Prayed and Nothing ChangedFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:53 – Welcome
4:11 – Intro to the book Praying with Jesus
5:55 – Adriel’s upbringing and conversion
8:31 – Expecting God’s goodness in prayer
14:32 – What to do when you don’t feel like praying
21:50 – Tools which help us pray personally or at church
31:51 – How the prayers of a homebound saint moved D.L. Moody across the ocean
36:22 – The National Day of Prayer
41:16 – How the Gospel connects to daily prayer
45:13 – Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our guest is Julie Lowe. She and Rush Witt discuss an important topic that is on the minds of parents, teachers, pastors, and anyone who cares about the souls of kids—bullying. From her experience of counseling children, Julie shares practical, biblical wisdom for recognizing bullying, navigating the influences of social media in our digital world, and how we can bring the gospel to bear on this important issue.
JULIE LOWE ONLINE
Julie's Website
Facebook
InstagramMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Child Proof
Safeguards
Building Bridges
Helping Your Child with A BullyFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:34 - How might we define bullying?
4:20 - What was your introduction to biblical counseling?
7:54 - What key lessons did you learn in the early days of counseling?
9:32 - How does the Bible speak to the problem of bullying?
14:36 - Bullying and Social Media
20:22 - What about the influence of social media on parents and adults?
26:52 - How to recognize when your child is bullied
30:14 - Advice for helping kids learn to handle bullying
32:50 - What should families and churches do to intervene in bullying?
38:42 - How do you encourage Christians to see the gospel as central to bullying?
40:28 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with Mike McGarry about some of the friends and enemies of theologically-minded youth ministry, the importance of team-based ministry among students, and Mike’s advice to new, green youth ministry leaders.
MIKE MCGARRY ONLINE
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Lead Them to Jesus
Discover
A Biblical Theology of Youth MinistryFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:33 - Welcome
2:47 - What's Your Story?
7:08 - Tell me about Youth Pastor Theologian
11:21 - How theological is youth ministry really?
16:19 - What's youth ministry like in a strong culture like Boston?
21:35 - What youth ministry misunderstandings do you see among adults?
33:15 - Are fun and games the enemies of theological youth ministry?
40:35 - The importance of team-based youth ministry
46:57 - Mike McGarry’s advice to brand new youth ministers
49:10 - Farewell -
Joni Eareckson Tada discusses her life and ministry in the present moment, where she finds grace to persevere through difficult challenges, and how students can become involved in summer internships with her ministry called Joni and Friends.
JONI EARECKSON TADA ONLINE
Joni's Website
Facebook
Twitter
InstagramMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Gospel for Hard Times
The Gospel for Hard Times (Students)
God Made Me UniqueFor more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
2:16 - Welcome
3:56 - How are things at Joni and Friends today?
6:01 - Joni and Rush Tell Their Stories
8:12 - A Powerful Shift Toward Joyfully Glorifying God.
13:42 - How has friendship help you through your suffering?
17:04 - What is making you happy in life now?
23:18 - Young people can serve in the Joni and Friends internship.
25:02 - What are some ways serving has helped students find joy in future ministry?
27:42 - How are you personally doing in daily life?
30:04 - What are some ways people can pray for you?
31:34 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with bestselling author Randy Alcorn about the recent death of his beloved wife, Nanci, and how his faith in Christ and familiarity with the Bible’s teaching on heaven has comforted him and deepened his walk with God. His testimony and encouragement is helpful to any one who faces serious loss and needs God's help to grieve with heaven in view.
RANDY ALCORN ONLINE
Randy's Website
Facebook
Twitter
InstagramMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
God Made Me for Heaven
Someone I Know is Grieving
The Small Book Devotional Series
The Ask the Christian Counselor SeriesMore about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:48 - Welcome
2:23 - Life Since Nanci's Death
6:09 - Tell me about Nancy
9:29 - How have heaven given you peace in Nanci's death?
15:51 - Randy paints a picture of the life to come.
21:42 - How has your relationship with Jesus grown over recent years?
24:58 - What surprised you in your grieving the loss of Nanci?
30:11 - The Story of Eternal Perspective Ministries
37:02 - How have Charles Spurgeon and C.S. Lewis influenced you?
41:13 - What's one big truth you gained from reading C.S. Lewis?
43:50 - How would you comfort someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one?
48:34 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with Joe Hox, the talented illustrator behind the Good News for Little Hearts series. They discuss the struggle to find our worth in Christ, moving forward in usefulness to the Lord when the path is unclear, and how artistic world-building brings imaginations to life.
JOE HOX ONLINE
Website
Instagram
Facebook
X/TwitterMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Good News for Little Hearts Series
Who is Jesus? by Kate Hox (Illustrated by Joe Hox)Learn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:40 - Intro
3:22 - Were you artistic as a child?
10:30 - Joe starts painting murals
14:00 - How were you shaped by a struggle to find your worth
18:36 - What was your breakout moment into successful illustrating
24:14 - The joy of working with NGP and the Good News for Little Hearts series
26:00 - A powerful perspective on finding worth in Christ
32:54 - Advice to aspiring artists and illustrators
34:36 - What's your process for building an imaginative world?
40:48 - Joe's joy of creating with his wife Kate
47:08 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with Bob Lepine, an author, pastor, and radio host whose recent book, Build a Stronger Marriage helps married and engaged couples to apply the gospel to their relationship. They discuss resolutions to marital conflict, key problems couples face, and the signs of a healthy marriage.
BOB LEPINE ONLINE
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Build a Stronger Marriage
Reclaim Your Marriage by Jenny Solomon
Restore Your Marriage by Curtis Solomon
Table for Two by Dave and Krista Dunham
Learn more about the podcast here.Timestamps:
1:35 - Intro
3:20 - What’s your advice to a couple moving toward marriage?
7:20 - Is there a common issue most couples face?
10:40 - How have you seen conflict at work in your marriage?
15:25 - The central goal of marriage
18:45 - Practical examples of building a stronger marriage
23:10 - How to know when to overlook or confront a marriage problem
28:05 - Habits are key in healthy marriages
35:35 - What have marriage taught you about yourself?
39:30 - How can we help or teach other married people when we have our own marriage problems?
43:30 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with Camille Cates, a biblical counselor, speaker, and author who works with post-abortive women. Camille shares her story of hardship and suffering as a young woman, including her own history with abortion. From experience, she reaches out to those who are desperately seeking hope and healing from their own personal tragedies. Camille’s story is an incredible testimony to God’s grace and help in the face of sin and suffering.
CAMILLE CATES ONLINE
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter/X
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Moving Forward After Abortion
Pregnancy Crisis (Minibook)
Ask the Christian Counselor Series SetLearn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:35 - Intro and Camille’s upbringing and abortion story
7:13 - Camille’s experience in church before the abortion
8:34 - What was your understanding of abortion at that young age?
19:02 - We are all on even footing at the cross
22:16 - How Camille found healing in the Gospel
30:18 - The ministry of other Christians helped Camille heal
34:38 - How anyone can help post-abortive parents
39:47 - Comforting help from the Book of James
41:53 - What can churches do to help in the pro-life movement?
44:27 - How can listeners of this podcast be involved in the movement today?
50:30 - Farewell -
Our host Rush Witt, sits down with Jonathan Holmes, a biblical counselor, author, and Director of Fieldstone Counseling Center in Cleveland, OH. Join them as they discuss Jonathan's adoption, his Korean heritage, growing up in the Deep South, and how these experiences shaped his life, counseling, and ministry.
JONATHAN HOLMES ONLINE
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter/X
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Child Proof by Julie Lowe
The Life Counsel Bible
Helping Your Adopted Child by Paul David TrippLearn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
0:25 - Intro
0:55 - Jonathan talks about his new book on identity issues
6:05 - How have you gained such an appreciation for poetry?
10:15 - Jonathan shares how biblical counseling changed the course of life and ministry
16:15 - What's the most obvious lesson of counseling and ministry you couldn't learn from a book?
22:20 - The Holmes family finds comfort and growth in the kitchen together
24:30 - How would you describe your upbringing and the impact of adoption on your life?
39:00 - How does your culture/heritage influence your family now?
47:10 - Who have been your strongest influences?
50:55 - What makes you especially happy today?
55:45 - Farewell -
Rush Witt spends the hour with Chris Moles, a leading pastor and biblical counselor who helps churches and families confront the evil of domestic violence and promote healthy, God-honoring, relationships. They talk about domestic abuse ministry, how pastors and church members can grow in this ministry, and whether or not abusers can really change.
CHRIS MOLES ONLINE
Website
Facebook
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse
Something Scary Happened by Darby Strickland
Miles the Lamb (Plushy)
Trauma and Abuse Minibook Sample PackLearn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:27 - Intro
3:28 - Chris shares his story of domestic abuse ministry
11:38 - How prevalent is domestic abuse?
19:40 - An abused person's experience provides a key entry gate for ministry
22:17 - How does abuse ministry look different in various situations?
26:36 - What does "safety plan" mean in domestic abuse ministry?
29:19 - What can a pastor do to begin growing in usefulness for abuse ministry?
38:53 - Christ coaches Rush
43:42 - Can abusers really change, and how often do you see change happen?
56:00 - How might other people help and encourage your ministry PeaceWorks University?
58:30 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, sits down with Sally Michael, co-founder of Truth78. They discuss how to help children know, love, and memorize God’s Word, and how her new Bible Verses to Remember series for children assists parents, teachers, and church leaders in this important ministry.
SALLY MICHAEL ONLINE
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Give God Your Worries
Good Gifts Come from God
Our Great God
The Treasure: Ancient Story Ever New of Jesus and His ChurchLearn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:28 - Intro
2:19 - The Biggest Joy of Sally's Current Ministry Role
2:58 - Sally's New Children's Series, Bible Verses to Remember
5:27 - What are the best practices and goals of Scripture memorization?8:27 - How Memorizing Bible Passages Rescued Sally from Trouble
13:25 - What has been you path into developing so many resources for children?
21:11 - How can we help children across a broad age range love memorizing Scripture?
32:18 - Finding Moments to Emphasize Biblical Virtues in A Busy Family 36:35 - In what ways has John Piper influenced your time at Bethlehem Baptist Church?
39:51 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, enjoys a conversation with pastor, author, and blogger, Tim Challies. They talk about Tim’s prolific work, his family, and the death of his son Nick, which Tim discusses in his book, Seasons of Sorrow. Tim’s faith and hope in God shine as a comfort and example to all of us.
TIM CHALLIES ONLINE
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God
Someone I Know Is Grieving by Edward T. Welch
A Small Book for the Hurting Heart by Paul TautgesLearn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:35 - Intro
3:10 - Worship Around the World
7:30 - Tim Challies and Church Life
9:20 - Trusting God in The Death of Nick Challies
22:20 - How Seasons of Sorrow Helped Tim Challies Grieve and Hope in Christ
29:25 - How the Challies Family Stays Strong In Hope
33:00 - Tim Challies' Broader Life and Interests
37:55 - Farewell -
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with Lifeway's Bible Publisher Andy McLean. They discuss how Bibles are developed, published, and printed. And they give special attention to a new edition called the Life Counsel Bible, which contains numerous articles and other tools for life and counseling. This episode provides an encouraging reminder of the invaluable ways the Bible speaks into daily life.
ANDY MCLEAN ONLINE
Website
Instagram
Facebook
XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Life Counsel Bible by Lifeway and New Growth Press
Personal Growth Minibook Sample PackLearn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:30 - Intro
5:46 - What exactly is a Bible Publisher?
6:44 - The Amazing Process of Bible Development
13:10 - How and where are Bibles created before they reach our hands?
16:24 - Why do we have so many different Bibles?
22:22 - The Life Counsel Bible
27:20 - What Andy McLean Hears from Readers of the Life Counsel Bible
30:06 - Gratitude and Farewell - Show more
