Family Life News - Special Features

Lt. Col. Phill Cochran is a retired pastor and fighter pilot for the United States Air Force. He says there's alot of spiritual analogies to flying an 5-16 fighter jet at the speed of sound.

Focus on the Family parenting expert, Dr. Danny Huerta talks about how vital proper sleep hygiene is for school-aged children.

Focus on the Family's Jessie Florea lays out lots of ideas to keep kids occupied during the summer. Jessie oversees "Clubhouse" and "Clubhouse Junior" magazines, so he has many tricks up his sleeve! Learn more about Clubhouse here. 

Our guest is nationally-syndicated Christian radio host, Cindy Tang.  She's written a devotional called "Companions in Faith".  It helps readers discover how their pets reflect the heart of God.

Binghamton, NY Pastor, George Youket has written a new book on the concept of grace and why so many Christians have a difficult time understanding it.

We just marked 4 years since the overturning of Roe versus Wade, where the Supreme Court handed the power of abortion regulation back to the states. Yet there were over 1 million abortions nationwide in 2025. Family Life's Sarah Harnisch sat down with Focus on the Family's Director of Sanctity of Human Life, Dianielle Pitzer, to ask why.  Learn more about the work of "Focus on the Family" here. 

Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing, but with little ones in tow, sometimes they are anything but.  "Focus on the Family" marriage and parenting expert, Dr. Deana Thayer has some tried and true tips for getting the most out of that road trip this summer.

Pete Marra with the Colson Center talks about a 4-part, small group bible study called "Truth Rising: The Study".  It's a companion guide to the documentary "Truth Rising: The Film" which was released last year.  The study guide helps Christians move from disorientation and paralysis to recognizing and embracing their God-given calling in this critical time.

Pastor Steve Dunmire with the Victory Highway Wesleyan Church talks about Gen Z's growing interest in church.

Roger Woodruff of Alfred Station has been collecting Christian literature in a hand-built chapel for more than 5 years to send to people in need all over the world. 

Tim Barton with Wallbuilders talks up America on her 250th birthday.

Wallethub spokesman Chip Lupo joins Family Life to discuss the best states for working dads in 2026

Scot Stutzman is principle of the Chautauqua Christian Academy in Jamestown, NY but that's not all he does.  He's penned a weekly column in the Jamestown Post-Journal that is changing lives all over the country.  

Family Life News Anchor Sarah Harnisch sits down with "Answers in Genesis" Education Specialist Roger Patterson to discuss how to handle a social media post by Donald Trump, after he posted an A.I. image that likened him to Jesus.  Learn more about the work of Answers in Genesis here.  

Focus on the Family Culture and Policy Analyst Jeff Johnston discusses the Kaley Chiles case and gently shares his personal story of voluntarily leaving a gay lifestyle; and what it took for him to make the decision to begin to walk away.  Learn more about Focus on the Family here.  Read Jeff's writing here. 

Pennsylvania State Representative Clint Owlett sat down with Family Life's Sarah Harnisch to go through the nitty gritty of Governor Josh Shapiro's 2026 Budget Address. 

Focus on the Family's "Plugged In" site gets more than a million hits a month as the team reviews movies, tv shows and music from a Biblical worldview. Associate Editor Paul Assay sits down with Family Life News Anchor Sarah Harnisch to announce their newest project: a free 125-page tech guide with all the best tips to help parents navigate screen time with kids and teens.  To learn more, go here.

Church security is the focus of a special 1-day training seminar on Jan. 31st in Clarion, PA.

Family Life News Anchor Sarah Harnisch sits down with Voice of the Martyrs Vice President Todd Nettleton to break down the history of Old Saint Nick as a persecuted Christian.  Learn more about the work of Voice of the Martyrs here. 

The Family Life news-crew takes a look back at the stories and events that shaped our lives in 2025.

What were the stories and events that shaped our lives in 2025.  Here's a look at the most influential news items the past 12 months.....enjoy !

Few things have made as big a splash in 2025 as A-I, but what sort of impact is it having on the church? We're talking about it next with Steve Dunmire, lead pastor of the Victory Highway Wesleyan Church in Painted Post, NY.

Alex Nsengimana grew up in circumstances most of us can't image - a survivor of the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s. One of the first bright spots in his young life was receiving a shoebox from "Operation Christmas Child." Here, he shares his moving story to Family Life's Mark Webster. To learn more, click here:

In this episode, we follow up with Mike Stuligross of Walton, New York, back from a strong showing in a world competition for a sport many may not even know exists - indoor kite flying. He updates Family Life's Mark Webster about his experience competing in the World Indoor Kite Flying Championship in China.

Jerry Stewart and Brian Molitor of "Balanced Biologics" spotlight agriculture issues "in the news" the last Monday of every month on the Family Life "Noon Report"

Family Life's Bob Price sat down with Pastor Jay LaScolea to discuss how to process the death of Charlie Kirk. 

Mike Stuligross of Walton, New York is among the best in the world at an activity many may not even know exists - indoor kite flying. He spoke with Family Life's Mark Webster about how he got into a combination of sport and artistry ahead of competing in the World Indoor Kite Flying Championship in China.

The Colson Center and Focus on the Family have teamed up on a ground-breaking documentary on how Christians can still have a profound influence on the culture.   

On this Labor Day, 2025 ...Family Life News takes a look back at some of our more popular Mission Pulse features from over the summer.

Focus on the Family attorney Nicole Hunt talks about the significance of the Medina vs. Planned Parenthood Supreme Court decision.

Author Lisa Skinner offers advice on how to recognize the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and the best practices for caring for those impacted by it's affects on the brain.

Author Lisa Skinner offers advice on how to recognize the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and the best practices for caring for those impacted by it's affects on the brain.

Former Penn State nutritionist Dr. Rebecca Corwin talks to Family Life News about how God reveals himself through food.

100 billion gallons of rain fell on July 4th in Kerr County, Texas, causing the Guadalupe River to rise dozens of feet in an hour. The county recieved more rain in one night than it does in a year. More than 100 are dead and hundreds have been rescued.  Family Life's Sarah Harnisch went on a tour of miracles with a trio of Texans. Dianna McCracken survived the wall of water heading directly for her. Samantha Johnson, her daughter, has been aiding in relief efforts. Grief and Trauma Counselor Nancy Sheridan explains how to have faith in the darkness.  Learn more about relief efforts here: https://kingsransomfoundation.org/ And here: https://www.familylife.org/resources/relief-efforts/

What are we celebrating when we celebrate the 4th of July ?  Family Life News goes "in depth" in this special Independence Day edition of the Noon Report

Fred Pry with Child Evangelism Fellowship

  This is a conversation about spiritual warfare with Coudersport, Pennsylvania author Ron Brisbeee, who published a bible study on this often challenging topic. It's entitled "Fighting Blind, Á basic study of spirit warfare."

Family Life News interviews Chaplain Matthew Suter at the Bath VA in Steuben County, NY on a special Memorial Day edition of the Noon Report

Roland Warren, president and CEO of "Care Net" is speaking to Family Life's Bob Price about why it's not enough to be pro-life to make abortion unthinkable.  He says we must be pro "abundant life" if we truly want to reclaim the sanctity of human life in our culture today.

Family Life Bible Quizzing coach Becky Cable gave us an insider look at the youth ministry of competitive Bible Quizzing as she prepared to lead several Family Life Ministry teams to a national competition in Wisconsin. She spoke about it with Family Life's Mark Webster:   Learn more at https://www.familylife.org/resources/bible-quizzing/ and track the competition at https://www.quizzing.live

Paul Celuch at College Assistance Plus is partnering with John Decker with Every Student Sent to help lower the cost of college and help students flourish in their faith, in the process.

Faith and Dale Ingraham with "Speaking Truth in Love" Ministries are hosting a 2-day seminar on sex abuse and domestic violence April 25th and 26th at the "Shining the Light" conference center in Addison, NY.  They spoke recently to Family Life News about why they are putting this event on.

Cash and valuable prizes have changed college sports ministry Mike Blanc, director of pro and elite sports ministries for FCA A Family Life Special News Feature Now that the brackets are set for the NCAA women's and men's basketball tournaments, we explore a new era for college sports.  Court rulings now say that "amateur" players across all college sports can earn payments for use of their "name, image, and likeness".  While these athletes can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars -- and for a few prime stars, one or more millions -- a leader in the national Fellowship of Christian Athletes says there is a downside for many of these young students. Mike Blanc, a former Pittsburgh Steeler and now FCA's director for pro and elite sports, says the "NIL" era has opened new and important opportunities for Christian ministry. He tells us that the big payoffs result in big pressure. Someone who is given so much money to play his or her sport also carries the expectation that they must perform at a level that is worth that investment. That, Blanc says, flies in the face of the individual's value as measured through the Lord's grace. This is our second interview with Mike Blanc, who is also is a veteran of sports ministry for the University of Miami. You can hear our first conversation with him -- about how more bigtime coaches and athletes are being bold in talking about and demonstrating their faith. These public figures in turn can inspire teammates, fans, and school-age athletes to be open with sharing their faith. Find that podcast on www.FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts as our 3/03/2025 Special Feature.  

Current Health Care Trends: "Big Picture" issues in 2025 One physician's persepctives on where America is with our health care system This week marks the 5th anniversary of Covid-related lockdowns in the U.S. A handful of new measles cases in the nation has people asking new questions about vaccines. The president's new Health and Human Services secretary is promising some major changes for the health care industry. And, the average American household is spending more than $1 of every $6 they have in annual on health care.  (And that is only their share of insurance, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. That doesn't include what the Federal and state governments pay, employers' share of insurance, charitable medical assistance, or the effects when local hospitals write off hundreds of thousands in unpaid bills.) Yes. The health care system is one of the universally-impactful aspects of our lives.  Our guest on today's Family Life News Feature offers his overview on what we need to know about American medicine these days. Dr. Chad Savage operates his own private medical practice and is connected with a Christian organization called Samaritan Ministries. He offers his commentary on Covid, how the actions in 2020 and beyond have increased public questions and skepticism about vaccines and "official" health advisories. Greg Gillispie also asked him how Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and upcoming Trump Administration policies might change our health care options. Savage also describes what we need to know about who pays for health care, how that affects doctors and clinics, and how it affects patients. 

A "Lover's Quarrel" with Evangelicals Family Life News talks with Warren Smith of MinistryWatch.com Christian journalist Warren Smith has a "lover's quarrel" with the evangelical church.He says many congregations and denominations are inwardly-focused on their problems, and fail to live up to a biblical mandate to be "salt and light" into their surrounding culture: Smith writes a response to others who point to how, for some people, the Christian faith has been "deconstructed" during the current era. His call is for individual Christians, congregations, denominations and faith networks to reclaim the identity which Jesus Christ gave to it. He encourages a reflection on how people of faith measure success. He is concerned that many pockets of the church "measure the wrong things", saying that the size of membership and budgets and programs has replaced the measurement of faithfulness, community, love, long-suffering, joy and other Fruit of the Spirit. This can be an important conversation for you and your household, and might be a discussion starter for leadership groups in your church.   Warren Smith is the president of the national Christian news website "Ministry Watch". Their website, MinistryWatch.com, has an excerpt from the book we discussed in this interview (in text and audio formats), plus news about the church and its people, trends in the culture, and insights for donors to large Christian organizations. He and his team also provide weekly podcasts related to the latest developments and trends in the church and in the culture.

Faith on the Field, the Court, the Diamond Prominent athletes are sharing their Christian priorities in interviews, on social media, and in the public images We heard it in the post-game interviews from the winning coach and quarterback at this year's Super Bowl. Those very public statements of faith circled the globe in the biggest media event of the year. Are these public stances of Christians who are sports stars in a new era? And, how to the "big league" athletes being unashamed of their faith influencing the athletes elsewhere in pro leagues, colleges and local high schools? Family Life offers a special interview with a former Pittsburgh Steeler who talks about evangelism from national and local athletes -- and the rest of us. Mike Blanc played collegiate and professional football, with Auburn, the Chargers, and the Steelers. After his playing days, Blanc became the chaplain for University of Miami's athletics.  He now directs outreach with pro and elite athletes as a national leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This is our first of two interview with the FCA's Mike Blanc. In our followup conversation, he talks about the new opportunities for ministry among top college athletes, in the new "NIL" era -- when students can make money (often lots of it) by licensing their Name, Image, and Likeness. Listen, share or download it from FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts .  Find the 3/17/2025 Special Feature.   For more information, online videos and resources: The Fellowship of Christian Athletes website is FCA.org Search "FCA" or "FCA_" to find the official FCA social media feeds You can subscribe to or read their online newsletter and devotional e-publications Find (or create) a local "huddle" at your middle school or high school Mike Blanc's biography   A separate ministry, Sports Spectrum, also explores the connections between sports and faith.

 Making Choices about College --- in light of Higher Education's higher price tag a Family Life News Interview Costs to attend a college or university has skyrocketed. And most of those tuition and room and board costs are being paid with borrowed money. The total student debt in America in the past two decades has mushroomed more that 600 percent.  In an interview for the Family Life Noon Report, Bob Price asked New York-based higher education financial advisor Paul Celuch about: what the economics of college choices are like these days how a student loan should be thought of the same way homeowners understand their mortgage what students and their families (either preparing to start school or already at a university) should consider to avoid money mistakes and keep education financially feasible   The Family Life Noon Report covers the latest news from Pennsylvania, New York, across the nation and around the world, with insights shaped by a Biblical worldview. You also hear weather updates for our region, the "two-minute drill" for sports, special features and Christian commentary. The Noon Report airs weekdays on our two-state radio network, plus the Family Life Now streaming and app. You can also hear it anytime from FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts and many popular podcast platforms. Search for "Family Life News".

A Biblical Worldview On President Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Efforts A Family Life News Special Feature What does the Bible have to say about the current debate raging in this country over mass deportations, border security and illegal immigrants? A local pastor with international ministry experience says Holy Scripture is not silent on this issue. Family Life Noon Report anchor Bob Price interviewed Pastor Dave Bretch for our February 17 midday broadcast.   Pastor Dave Bretch leads the Beartown Road Alliance Church near Corning, NY. He is one of the church leaders in our two-state region who offers occasional commentaries on breaking issues for Family Life News.

The Middle East awaits a Saturday hostage deadline A special Newsmaker Interview from Family Life News - 2/13/25 A Saturday (February 15) deadline looms, as American President Donald Trump promises consequences if Hamas fails to expedite the release of hostages held in Gaza for more than 16 months. Various reports have indicated that a weeks-long cease fire between Israel and Hamas is at risk. Family Life News got first-person reaction from Israel Wednesday night. Aryeh Myers is a coordinator for Magen David Adom, the national Emergency Services system for the nation of Israel.  In this interview with Family Life's Greg Gillispie, Myers talks about public sentiment among Israelis, as some hostages are now home, some are still unaccounted for, and the potential for new attacks swirls around them. You also will hear about first-responders' actions which saved many lives among the carnage of October 7, 2023, and how the Emergency Services have mobilized tens of thousands of volunteers to be ready, if new attacks happen, this weekend or anytime. More information about Magen David Adom Emergency Services is online at www.SavingLivesInIsrael.org.  Aryeh Myer's biography is here.  #special features #FamilyLifeNews FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts  

Refugee Agencies Scramble to Fill the Gap A special edition of the Inside Out podcast with Martha Manikas-Foster  Government funding for refugee resettlement in the US has stopped for at least 90 days. This leaves America’s often faith-based resettlement agencies like World Relief scrambling to make up for the money the government contributes as a partner in the resettlement process. Why would refugee agencies have expenses during President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause in resettlement? The federal government and resettlement agencies work together over 90 days to acclimate new arrivals, and many refugees were still in that window when the funds were frozen. During those three months the agencies find housing and job opportunities for the new arrivals, and connect them with medical, educational, and community resources. The agencies are on their own to support this work during the funding freeze. Today on this Inside Out podcast my guest is author and speaker Matthew Soerens. He talks about what makes a refugee different from some other immigrants (our government vets them before they set foot on American soil), and Jesus’ call on His Church to minister to the vulnerable (“whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ Matthew 25:40). Soerens is the Vice President of Advocacy & Policy for the Christian humanitarian organization World Relief, an arm of the National Association of Evangelicals and one of the nation’s refugee resettlement agencies. Soerens is also National Coordinator for the Evangelical Immigration Table. He is co-author of the books “Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis,” “Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate,” and “Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church.”   Connect with World Relief at www.WorldRelief.org Find books by Matthew Soerens here. #insideoutfamilylifenewswww.FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts