In this special episode recorded at the 2025 Hope Together Conference, Haley and Dustin are joined by Air Force Lt. Col. David Tharp and Army veteran Scott Meador. Together, they share how God met them in the darkest moments—through suicidal despair, physical pain, and the lasting impact of war. Their personal stories of hope led them to create UpArmor, a Christ-centered trauma recovery training designed to help veterans, coaches, and caregivers bring biblical healing to wounded hearts.

Together, we talk about the reality of trauma, the obstacles to recovery, and how Jesus is at the center of lasting healing. Whether you’ve faced trauma yourself or want to help others, this episode will remind you that hope and restoration are possible through Christ.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Resources from David & Scott

Learn more about Project Healing Heroes – https://www.projecthealingheroes.org/

Learn more about UpArmor trauma coaching – https://iccicoaching.com/product/up-armor-training-coaching-foundations-and-basic-training/

Hope for the Heart resources

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

In this replay episode, we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations on gratitude.

Haley kicks things off with a special Thanksgiving song, and together we reflect on what the Bible says about being thankful – even when it’s not easy. We explore some roadblocks that make gratitude difficult at times and share some practical ways to grow in gratitude and give thanks to the Lord in all things.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more :

(05:11) Gratitude in All Circumstances

(12:27) Balancing Emotion and Gratitude

(13:56) Gratitude and Gift Giver

(27:05) Expressing Gratitude for Everyday Items

(33:02) Practicing Gratitude Beyond Comparisons

(42:30) Practicing Thanksgiving With Whole Heart

(48:43) Gratitude and Thankfulness

Hope for the Heart resources

Free Thanksgiving Devotional: https://tinyurl.com/yu52zw6z

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance on 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode:

Psalm 9:1 – “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”

Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Matthew 26:26-27 – “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.”

Luke 17:15-19 – “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights...”

Hebrews 13:15 – “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”

The holidays can bring joy – but also remind us of old family patterns that still hurt. In this episode, Dustin and Haley talk about what family dysfunction means … and what it doesn’t mean.

Through stories of biblical families marked by dysfunction, we see how God still works through imperfect people and messy relationships. Together, we explore “unspoken rules” that often define family systems and share reflection questions to help you make sense of your past, deal with present tensions, and build new habits for the future.

If you’re feeling pressure heading into the holidays, this conversation will help you take a deep breath and find hope in the middle of family chaos.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

(03:17) Holiday Devotional Reflections

(05:29) Navigating Family Expectations During the Holidays

(10:07) Understanding Dysfunction in Family Relationships

(17:30) Navigating Family Boundaries During the Holidays

(26:17) Staying Safe in Family Conflicts

(33:04) Generational Faith in Biblical Lineage

(42:59) Setting Boundaries in Family Relationships

(54:58) Reorienting With Grace and Perspective

Hope for the Heart resources

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

Marcus Warner, president of Deeper Walk International, returns for a special episode recorded at our 2025 Hope Together Conference.

When anxiety and ministry burnout hit, Marcus couldn’t understand why … until God revealed unhealed wounds from his past. In this honest and insightful conversation, Marcus shares how unresolved trauma had shaped his life and how Jesus led him into healing and restoration.

Marcus also unpacks the impact of unhealed wounds, the role of prayer in recovery, and his simple four-step R.E.A.L. prayer model that helps people invite God into their pain and find lasting freedom.

If you’ve ever wondered why old hurts still affect your life, this episode will help you take a step toward healing and a deeper walk with God.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more :

Marcus Warner / Deeper Walk Resources

Learn more about Deeper Walk International, Marcus Warner’s ministry, podcast, and books – www.deeperwalk.com

Get the book, Understanding the Wounded Heart – https://deeperwalk.com/product/understanding-the-wounded-heart-book/

Hope for the Heart resources :

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance on 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

Nona Jones knows what it’s like to live with the pain of rejection and abuse … from people who should have offered love. But she’s also learned that rejection doesn’t have to define you. It can refine you.

In this conversation, Nona shares her hope story of how the love of Christ began healing the wounds of rejection and showing her that God’s acceptance is greater than any person’s approval. Drawing from her new book The Gift of Rejection, she helps us reframe our pain as preparation for our purpose.

If you’ve ever felt unwanted, overlooked, or unworthy, this episode will help you discover that rejection isn’t the end of your story — it may just be the beginning of your purpose.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more : (04:48) Finding God Through Childhood Absence

(09:06) Healing Through Compassionate Community Relationships

(20:42) Recognizing Rejection-Fueled Ambition

(26:22) Finding Purpose in Rejection

(30:14) Jesus' Rejection and Acceptance in Life

(34:17) Overcoming Rejection and Embracing Opportunity

(37:27) Permission to Feel Pain of Rejection

(42:59) Understanding and Embracing Emotions

(45:32) Encouragement for Healing From Rejection

Resources

Learn more about Nona Jones – https://www.nonajones.com/

Get Nona’s book, The Gift of Rejection – https://www.nonajones.com/gift-of-rejection

Listen to Nona’s podcast, The Nona Jones Show – https://www.nonajones.com/podcast

Hope for the Heart resources :

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance on 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a complicated life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

What makes a great leader … and what causes even good ones to stumble?

Dr. Eric Scalise, president of Hope for the Heart, joins us again on Hope Talks. Drawing on decades of leadership experience across ministry, academia, and organizational life, Dr. Scalise shares key insights into the heart of healthy and unhealthy leadership. Together, we explore three common challenges every leader faces: insecurity, isolation, and lack of accountability.

Dr. Scalise shares that the key to overcoming these challenges is finding your identity in Christ and surrounding yourself with truth-tellers—people who will both encourage and confront you in love.

Drawing from Matthew 23 and the “seven woes” of Jesus, we also uncover some biblical principles for leading with humility and authenticity. Whether you lead a team, a family, or just want to help others grow, this episode will help you lead from a place of security and grace.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means

everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more :

(01:51) Leadership Insights From Experienced Practitioner

(17:23) The Role of Priests and Prophets

(20:37) Accountability Partners and Insecurity

(27:36) Constant Communication With the Lord

(34:22) Leadership Qualities of George Washington

(51:50) Importance of Accountability in Leadership

(55:45) Appreciation for Leadership Conversation

Hope for the Heart resources

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode

1 Kings 4:5 - “Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and the king’s friend.”

Matthew 23:23–28 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

John 13:3-5 – “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments and, taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

In this episode, Dr. Michael Guillen – former Harvard physics instructor and Emmy award–winning ABC News science editor – shares his remarkable journey from atheism to faith in Christ.

Drawing from his book Believing Is Seeing, Dr. Guillen shares his hope story of walking through infertility with his wife, encountering God in the midst of exhaustion, and being led to adoption. We also talk about his shift from being a “scientific monk” to a passionate follower of Jesus and explore ten powerful ways science affirms the truths of Scripture.

This conversation is both deeply personal and intellectually compelling—one you won’t want to miss.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means

everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

(04:41) Trusting God

(08:14) Supernatural Encounter That Changed Everything

(12:00) Believing in Trust and Surrender

(22:20) The Transformation of St. Paul

(26:06) Transformation From Atheist to Christian

(39:23) Transformative Personal Journey to Christianity

(43:46) Discovery of the Truman Show Bubble

(50:57) Christianity and Science in Modern Age

(01:01:56) Believing Is Seeing Book and Movie

(01:10:04) Science and Christianity in Harmony

Dr. Michael Guillen Resources

Learn more about Dr. Guillen – https://michaelguillen.com/

Subscribe to Dr. Guillen’s Substack, More Thank Meets Than IQ – https://www.morethanmeetstheiq.com/

Get his book, Believing Is Seeing: A Physicist Explains How Science Shattered His Atheism and Revealed the Necessity of Faith – https://tinyurl.com/bdcwf2ya

Listen to Dr. Guillen’s podcast, Science + God w/Dr. G – https://michaelguillen.com/podcast/

Hope for the Heart resources

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance on 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Earley — business lawyer, speaker, podcaster, and author of numerous books on habits and spiritual disciplines.

Justin shares his journey of walking through a season of anxiety and burnout and how God used it to reshape his view of life and faith. We dive into his new book, The Body Teaches the Soul: Ten Essential Habits to Form a Healthy and Holy Life, exploring common misconceptions about the body and spirit, biblical truths about embodiment, and practical habits that nurture physical, mental, and spiritual health.

This conversation is full of both deep theological insights and simple, everyday practices that can help you live a more grounded and grace-filled life.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more :

(00:00) Body and Spirit Interactions

(07:22) Disconnect in American Christian Habits

(10:51) Importance of the Body Reflections

(22:29) Healing and Redemption of Bodies

(27:24) Restoring Mental Health and Spiritual Rhythms

(33:42) The Power of Kneeling Prayer

(37:23) The Power of Worship and Movement

(42:05) Family Rhythms and Habits With Kids

Justin Earley Resources

Learn more about Justin Earley – https://www.justinwhitmelearley.com/

Get his latest book, The Body Teaches the Soul – https://tinyurl.com/32ywu7xc

Hope for the Heart resources :

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON