UpStream

Navigating a parent’s cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult journeys a family can face—especially when that parent is your mom.In this episode of the Upstream Podcast, Joy talks with Ashley Chickerella from Take Heart Cancer Community about her personal experience walking through her mom’s cancer journey. Ashley shares what it was like from diagnosis to treatment, the emotional highs and lows, and how faith, support, and community played a crucial role along the way.To connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

AI is everywhere—and our kids are growing up with it faster than we can keep up.Joy sits down with Emily Washburn to talk about how parents can navigate Artificial Intelligence with their children in healthy, thoughtful ways. From understanding the risks to setting boundaries and having meaningful conversations, this episode equips parents to guide their kids with confidence, wisdom, and intention in an AI-driven world.Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

When a relationship with your child starts to feel distant, the pain can be overwhelming and the questions endless. Where did things go wrong? How do you reach out without pushing them further away? And is there hope for healing?In this episode of the Upstream Podcast, Joy sits down with Glenn Leutchens from Focus on the Family to talk honestly about navigating strained or distant relationships with your child. Together, they explore what parents can do when communication breaks down, how to respond with grace instead of fear, and why patience, humility, and prayer matter more than having all the right answers.Whether your child has emotionally pulled away, set firm boundaries, or completely cut off communication, this conversation offers encouragement, biblical wisdom, and practical next steps for parents who are longing for restoration but don’t know where to begin.If you’re carrying the weight of a broken or distant relationship with your child, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone—and that hope is still possible.Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In today's episode, Joy speaks with Joel Wharton & Ashley Chickerella of Take Heart Cancer Community about how Cancer has impacted their lives, and how they got involved with Take Heart. If you or someone you know is battling Cancer, this episode is for you! Now, let's go UpStream. To Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/Learn more about Take Heart Cancer Community - https://www.takeheartcommunity.org/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In today's episode, Joy talks with Greg and Julie Murray about their experience dealing with ALZ through Julie's Mom. They share the first initial signs, and what it was like walking through her passing. If you are or have been impacted by ALZ, this episode is for you. To connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In today's episode, Joy sits down with Brenda Craft as she shares her journey of caring for her Husband Kelly as he battled ALS, and how they navigated the tough moments, and appreciated the good ones. If you or someone you know has dealt with the loss of a spouse, this episode is for you. Now, let's go UpStream. To Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In today's episode, Joy speaks with David Mahan, Policy Director with the Center for Christian Virtue. They walk through the causes in declining marriage and birth rates, and why limiting screen time for your children is a necessity. Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

It can be a challenge when your child cuts you off completely for reasons either known or unknown. In today's episode, Joy talks with Brenda Huerta, a counselor with Focus on the Family on how to handle the broken relationship with your child, and how to help restore the bond. Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

1 in 5 Americans deal with Mental Illness annually. In today's episode, Joy talks with Tracie Bayer, from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) as she walks through her own personal battles, and how her faith helped her through some of her darkest moments. Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out for help - https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

Navigating your role in your blended family can be tough. In this episode, Joy talks with Deanna Thayer, a blended family Coach with Focus on the Family about how to handle discipline, roles, and the emotions that come with being in a blended family. Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In this follow-up episode of Upstream, Joy continues the conversation with Adam Holz from Plugged In—this time, diving into the complex world of teens and social media. From the pressure to curate a perfect life to the constant comparison game, today’s teens are navigating challenges no generation has faced before. Adam unpacks how social platforms impact identity, mental health, and relationships—and what parents can do to guide their teens toward healthy digital habits. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

 In this episode of Upstream, Joy sits down with Adam Holz from Plugged In to talk about something every modern parent wrestles with—screen time. From tablets at the dinner table to toddlers mastering YouTube faster than their ABCs, we dive into how screens are shaping the minds and hearts of young children. Adam shares research, real-life examples, and practical wisdom to help parents set healthy boundaries in a digital world. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

Pregnancy loss is a pain that often goes unspoken—but the emotional toll is deep, lasting, and real. In this episode of Upstream, Joy sits down with Dr. Joannie DeBrito to talk candidly about the mental health struggles that can follow a miscarriage or pregnancy loss. Together, they unpack the weight of grief, the silent battle with depression, and how to find hope and healing through faith and community. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

On this episode of Upstream, Joy sits down with Brenda Huerta to talk about the often unspoken transition from being a hands-on caretaker to becoming a steady guide in the lives of adult children. Brenda shares personal stories, unexpected challenges, and the quiet beauty of learning to let go while staying deeply connected. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

 In this episode of UpStream, Joy talks with Lisa Anderson from Focus on the Family about the often-overlooked topic of unwanted singleness. Together, they unpack the heartache, hope, and faith that can come with longing for marriage while navigating life solo. Whether you're in this season yourself or walking alongside someone who is, this conversation offers empathy, wisdom, and a reminder that you're not alone. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

 On this episode of UpStream, Joy sits down with Lisa Anderson from Focus on the Family to explore how the Church approaches singleness. They talk about the unique challenges and opportunities singles face, how churches can better support and include them, and why singleness isn’t a waiting room—it’s a calling. Whether you're single, married, or leading ministry, this conversation offers fresh insight and encouragement for everyone. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In this episode of UpStream, marriage and family therapist Jeremy Keaton reveals how pornography fundamentally violates the nature of marriage. "Marriage is supposed to be like a blank canvas where couples co-create their own beautiful picture," Jeremy explains. "Pornography introduces outside colors and shapes – it contaminates what should be sacred between two people."Perhaps most hopeful is Jeremy's insight that pornography addiction is rarely about sex itself. Instead, it's about emotional regulation and connection. People use pornography when they lack healthier ways to process stress, anxiety, or past trauma. As Jeremy powerfully states, "The opposite of addiction isn't sobriety—it's relationship."If you're struggling with pornography or its effects on your marriage, know that healing is possible. Focus on the Family offers consultation services, and their book "Aftershock" provides a compassionate, biblically-grounded pathway forward. With specialized counseling, accountability partnerships, and group support, even the most damaged relationships can find restoration.A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In this episode of Upstream, Joy is joined by Lisa Anderson from Focus on the Family for an honest conversation about caring for aging parents living with dementia. As the roles between parent and child begin to shift, many adult children find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory filled with emotional, practical, and spiritual challenges.Lisa shares her own personal journey of walking alongside her mother through a dementia diagnosis, offering wisdom, grace, and hope for those in similar seasons. Together, she and Joy talk through how to honor our parents, maintain healthy boundaries, and lean into God’s strength when the load feels heavy.If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia—or preparing for what may lie ahead—this conversation offers encouragement, insight, and a reminder that you are not alone on the journey upstream.A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In this episode of Upstream, Joy sits down with Geremy Keeton from Focus on the Family to discuss his deeply personal and transformative book, Aftershock: Overcoming His Secret Life with Pornography: A plan for recovery. Together, they unpack the devastating impact pornography can have on individuals, marriages, and families—and the hidden toll it takes on mental, emotional, and spiritual health.Geremy shares his journey toward healing and the practical recovery plan that’s helped many men confront their struggles and walk toward lasting freedom. This candid conversation offers hope, truth, and a path forward for anyone caught in the web of secrecy and shame. Whether you're in the midst of the battle or supporting someone who is, this episode will encourage you to swim upstream toward healing, wholeness, and restored identity.Resources and Support: If you or someone you love is struggling, visit FocusOnTheFamily.com for tools, counseling, and next steps.A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In this episode of Upstream, Joy welcomes Dr. Joannie DeBrito from Focus on the Family for an honest conversation about mental health—and how it's being shaped by the constant stream of social media and news.Together, they unpack the emotional toll of living in a hyperconnected world, the anxiety that can come from information overload, and the subtle ways digital content influences our mood, relationships, and sense of identity.A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In this episode of Upstream, Joy sits down with Dr. Danny Huerta from Focus on the Family to dive into one of the most talked-about parenting decisions: home school vs. public school. What are the key differences? How do you know what’s right for your child? And how can parents stay grounded and confident in their choice? A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In this episode of Upstream, Chaplain Joy Tolle continues her conversation with Dr. Paul from the Focus Marriage Institute, affiliated with Focus on the Family. They discuss his book Nine Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage and the most damaging misconceptions that can undermine a relationship. Dr. Paul shares personal insights from his own marriage, the importance of teamwork, and practical steps couples can take to build a thriving relationship. Tune in for an honest and insightful discussion on strengthening marriages with biblical truth and practical wisdom. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

In this episode of Upstream, Joy Tolle welcomes Dr. Robert Paul, Vice President of the Focus Marriage Institute with Focus on the Family. As a licensed professional counselor and accomplished author, Dr. Paul shares insights on restoring marriages in crisis through programs like Hope Restored intensives. Learn about the impact of group therapy, the power of vulnerability in healing relationships, and how thousands of couples have found hope when all seemed lost. Whether your marriage is struggling or you’re seeking wisdom to support others, this conversation offers encouragement, tools, and powerful testimonies of transformation.A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

Glenn Lutjens is an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and has been with Focus on the Family for over 25 years. He received advanced coursework in life coaching from the Professional Christian Coaching Institute. Before his time with Focus on the Family, Glenn served as an associate pastor in pastoral care at Pascack Bible Church in Hillsdale, New Jersey. He met his wife, Elizabeth, at Nyack College in New York.In this episode, we’re diving into the gap between how spouses intend to act in their marriage and how they actually respond in challenging moments. We’ll uncover the triggers behind these differences, discuss how a spouse can lovingly address reactive behaviors, and outline the steps couples can take to bridge the divide between intention and reality. Plus, we’ll explore practical routines and habits that can help create healthier responses moving forward. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

Glenn Lutjens is an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and has been with Focus on the Family for over 25 years. He received advanced coursework in life coaching from the Professional Christian Coaching Institute. Before his time with Focus on the Family, Glenn served as an associate pastor in pastoral care at Pascack Bible Church in Hillsdale, New Jersey. He met his wife, Elizabeth, at Nyack College in New York.In this episode, we discuss the initial steps to take when facing the discovery of a spouse’s involvement in an affair or pornography. We’ll explore the essential boundaries needed to rebuild trust, resources available for marriages impacted by addiction or infidelity, and strategies for navigating these challenges as a couple, especially when children are part of the equation. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

This week we go UpStream with Robert S. Paul, LPC  Vice President of Focus Marriage Institute. In this insightful episode, host Joy Tolle, a chaplain with River Radio Ministries, interviews Dr. Robert S. Paul from Focus on the Family. Together, they explore the challenges faced by marriages today and delve into the resources and programs available to help couples navigate through crises. Dr. Paul shares his expertise on the importance of investing time and effort into maintaining a healthy relationship, understanding and appreciating differences between spouses, and creating a safe and secure environment for open communication. Don't miss this engaging conversation packed with practical advice and encouragement for couples striving to strengthen their marriage._Dr. Robert S. Paul is an accomplished speaker who presents regularly at professional conferences and enrichment events both nationally and internationally. He has co-authored five books: “The DNA of Relationships,” with Drs. Gary and Greg Smalley, “The DNA of Relationships for Couples,” and “9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage: And the truths that will save it and set it free,” with Dr. Greg Smalley, and “Finding Ever After.” His most recent book, “Restoring Hope: An Integrative Approach to Marital Therapy,” written with Dr. Robert Burbee and Dr. Christine Arnzen, is geared toward professional therapists, pastors, and lay counselors, and presents the Focus Marriage Model and Focus Marital Therapy approach that underlies Focus’s successful Hope Restored Marriage Intensive programs. He is a former professor at Evangel University where he taught in both the biblical studies and psychology departments, specializing in Marriage and Family Counseling, Human Sexuality and the integration of faith into all areas of life. Paul and his wife, Jenni, live in Springfield, Mo., and have been married for over 40 years. They have four children and six grandchildren.A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

It can be tough navigating life's rough waters. Up Stream is here to help make that journey a little smoother. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!