#104: You are seen, heard and loved by God (with Melinda Estabrooks)

This week, my guest is Melinda Estabrooks. Melinda is a Canadian television host, conference speaker and editor of the new book, “Always Know.” Melinda’s career in Canadian broadcast TV and radio spans over 20 years and while we had interacted at industry events in the past, this was the first time we really got to actually talk with one another. I asked her to share her story of being abandoned as a baby, then adopted by a Canadian family, experiencing racism growing up, depression and mental health difficulties, and even walking through a divorce while in public Christian ministry. If you’ve ever felt like God and everyone else doesn’t see you… then Melinda’s story is for you.

Jonathan PuddleMarch 5, 2021adoption, divorce, depression, story, race Comment

#53: Common Lies That Christians Believe (with Shane Pruitt)

Shane Pruitt is a blogger and evangelist, who, along with his wife Kasi have 5 kids—3 through adoption. Kasi oversees the Adoption & Foster Care Ministry at Lake Pointe church, and Shane, who is also the Director of Evangelism for The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, joined me for a broad ranging discussion on authenticity, personal hardship, adoption, God’s sovereignty, and rethinking God’s will for your life. We also discussed his book, “9 Common Lies Christians Believe - And Why God’s Truth is Infinitely Better,” which he explained was the fruit of hearing too many bad Christian clichés during some of the hardest times of their life.

Jonathan PuddleSeptember 19, 2019parenting, adoption, bible, god's goodnessComment

#24: Earning the Right to be Heard (with Carlos A. Rodríguez)

Carlos A. Rodríguez is the founder of TheHappyGivers, a non-profit dedicated to alleviating poverty, supporting prisoners and feeding children. Carlos and I discussed how to earn the right to be heard and how being on mission unifies us and helps us move past divisive political or theological debates.

Jonathan PuddleDecember 20, 2018adoption, poverty, jesus Comments

#23: Adoption & Identity (with Michelle Wuesthoff)

Michelle Wuesthoff is an author, life coach, and adoptive mother of 4. We discussed our children narratives, reliance on God vs our own strength; and the God who stands outside our hearts waiting for the slightest crack to open up, so his lavish, reckless love can pour in.

Jonathan PuddleDecember 7, 2018adoption, identityComment