Hope, Encouragement, Life Change, Forgiveness, New Life, No Bitterness, Joy, Peace Episodes

How do you find hope when life changes your plans—and the struggle lasts for years? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes author Ayis Caperonis for a heartfelt conversation about surviving a brain tumor, living with lasting disabilities, and holding on to faith through depression. Raised in an athletic family with dreams of following his father’s Olympic example, Ayis faced a dramatically different future after surgery affected his movement, balance, coordination, and vision. During rehabilitation, children facing their own disabilities inspired him to keep trying with what he had. Ayis shares the accomplishments and disappointments that followed—from swimming in college and earning degrees to facing barriers in the workplace. He also describes how meeting his wife deepened his relationship with Jesus and opened a new chapter of marriage, fatherhood, and writing. Together, David and Ayis reflect on gratitude, recognizing what you can do, and trusting God …

Who are you when the job, role, or ministry that defined you is suddenly gone? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes author, illustrator, educator, and publisher Dawn Stephens for an honest conversation about identity, burnout, church hurt, and discovering that God’s purpose reaches beyond what we do. Through teaching, motherhood, business, and publishing, Dawn repeatedly found fulfillment in a role—only to feel lost when that role changed or ended. Those experiences inspired her story, The Little Pot, and a life-changing lesson: our identity is found in our relationship with the Creator, rather than the things He gives us to hold. Using the stories of a little pot, a teapot, an oil lamp, and a small jar, Dawn explores growing the fruit of the Spirit, serving others, sharing our faith, and trusting God with our wounds. She also shares how job loss, painful events in her church community, and an isolating move during the pandemic led to a new chapter of he…

Once told he would not live past twenty, David W. Ebel is sharing his story at seventy-four—after more than fifty years of ministry. In this special episode of God Says Yes, David opens his heart about a childhood marked by medical challenges, chronic pain, relentless bullying, and a desperate longing to belong. He shares how depression and addiction brought him to the point of wanting to end his life—and how a young woman’s invitation to church became an unexpected turning point. Despite a painful reception from some church members, David encountered the love of Jesus. Two believers then came alongside him, helping him learn to live out his new faith and discover a purpose he never imagined possible. That beginning grew into a lifetime of serving alongside his wife, Diane, through children’s ministry, chaplaincy, disaster response, and church leadership. Their ministry took them to forty-nine states and twenty countries. David’s story includes ongoing pain as well as extr…

How do you move beyond heartbreak and anger to become a more loving husband, father, and friend? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes author, podcast host, and retired energy executive David Savage for an honest conversation about faith, relationships, and taking responsibility for personal growth. David shares how early heartbreak shaped his approach to relationships, how fatherhood deepened his understanding of love, and how a spiritual retreat renewed his commitment to Jesus. When divorce later brought overwhelming anger, he turned to God for help and began examining his own choices. Through remarriage, blended-family challenges, and supporting young people struggling with addiction, David developed a deeper compassion for others and a passion for men’s ministry. He explains why men need meaningful friendships, spiritual support, and practical steps toward becoming more engaged husbands and fathers. He also introduces his book, The Savage Path: A Memo…

Have you drifted from faith and wondered whether you could ever find your way back? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes Canadian podcast host and author Jonnie T for a heartfelt conversation about childhood wounds, rediscovering faith, and finding purpose in a personal relationship with Jesus. Jonnie shares how his parents’ divorce, financial hardship, and bullying shaped his early life. Although he came to Christ at nineteen, a painful breakup and a return to old friendships led him away from church and the faith he had begun to embrace. Through loss, growing dissatisfaction with his lifestyle, and conversations with the woman who became his wife, Jonnie began recognizing God’s invitation to return. He describes learning to receive forgiveness, move beyond condemnation, and grow through prayer, Scripture, and daily obedience. Today, he shares stories of hope through his podcast, Refuge Freedom Stories, and his book, One Thing About God: Individual Expe…

You love Jesus. You pray. You go to church. So why do you still feel stuck? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes author, podcast host, and Spirit-led healing coach Heather O’Brien for an honest conversation about fear, shame, and developing a deeper relationship with God. Heather shares how she grew up believing in Jesus yet struggled with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Around age thirty, learning to pause and listen in prayer opened a new chapter in her faith. Three simple words—“I love you”—became central to her experience of God’s love and her journey toward healing. Together, David and Heather explore forgiveness, surrender, and the beliefs and painful memories that can keep us feeling trapped—even after our outward behavior changes. Heather also shares the story behind her book and podcast, Heal with God. Her practical encouragement begins here: stop shaming yourself for being stuck. Bring one specific struggle to God, ask honest questions,…

What happens when the dream that defines you can no longer be the center of your life? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes Kimberly Miller for a heartfelt conversation about faith, identity, and learning to put God first. Raised in a family where Scripture was lived as well as taught, Kimberly gave her heart to Jesus at age five. As a gifted young tennis player, however, she gradually found her identity shifting toward athletic achievement. Outwardly, she remained active in her faith. Inwardly, tennis had taken first place. A devastating knee injury interrupted her hopes for a professional career and began an eighteen-month recovery. Kimberly shares how her parents’ persistent prayers and time spent in Scripture helped her move through frustration toward renewed trust in God. She eventually returned to competitive tennis with a different understanding of her priorities and purpose. Together, David and Kimberly explore the difference between outward reli…

For decades, Rory Paquette carried a question rooted in childhood abuse: If God could help, why hadn’t He? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes podcaster, speaker, author, and coach Rory Paquette for an honest conversation about anger, survival, and discovering faith after years of trying to manage life alone. Rory shares how growing up with an abusive father shaped his determination to protect his family and prove himself through achievement. Outward success hid deep exhaustion and unresolved pain. Losing his business during the 2008 recession brought him to a devastating personal crisis. Years later, a life-threatening illness and major surgery became a turning point. During long nights in the hospital, conversations with his wife helped Rory reconsider his story and recognize moments he now sees as evidence of God’s presence and care. He describes how surrendering to Jesus lifted a burden he had carried for years, opened deeper conversations with his …

How do you keep trusting God when you pray for healing and the pain remains? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes Davis Bain, author of Chronic Pain Warrior, for an honest conversation about brain injury, chronic suffering, and finding purpose when life changes unexpectedly. After his tenth concussion, Davis developed persistent symptoms that interrupted his plans for a military career and made everyday activities difficult. Brain fog, migraines, and emotional struggles left him grieving the future he had imagined. Trying to push through an engineering job only deepened his exhaustion. Davis shares how reaching out to trusted friends during a desperate season became a turning point toward accepting support and facing his limitations honestly. Drawing on their shared experiences of brain injury, David and Davis discuss the loneliness of invisible disabilities, the hurt caused by claims that ongoing illness reflects inadequate faith, and the comfort they f…

You can look successful on the outside while carrying pain no one else sees. In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes occupational therapist and writer Kathrine Lanning for an honest conversation about surviving abuse, finding sobriety, and discovering a new identity in Christ. Growing up in a military family, Kathrine struggled with frequent moves, insecurity, and a longing to belong. An abusive teenage relationship left wounds she carried into college, where drinking, drugs, and academic achievement helped conceal her pain. Later, determined to change, she pursued strict routines and self-improvement. Yet beneath the appearance of progress, she still felt overwhelmed by shame and unresolved trauma. After moving to North Carolina, Kathrine began attending church and reading the Bible for herself. A heartfelt prayer of surrender marked a turning point. She shares how faith in Jesus, sobriety, counseling, and a supportive church community helped her begin pro…

What happens when you achieve the success you wanted—and no longer like the person you have become? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes author and podcaster Branch Isole for a conversation about losing everything, searching for truth, and building a new life centered on Jesus. After years in corporate sales, Branch had the income, possessions, and professional recognition he thought would bring fulfillment. Instead, he became deeply dissatisfied with his choices. When his life unraveled and he experienced homelessness, he began searching for answers through different religions and spiritual teachings. Branch shares how that search led him to Jesus, how Scripture gradually became understandable to him, and why he chose a new name to reflect his commitment to serving the Lord. His journey eventually included theological study and writing twenty-two books. Together, David and Branch explore how faith shapes everyday decisions, relationships, and responses …

When life falls apart, how do you find the courage to begin again? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes minister, author, singer, and former college professor Yolanda Troupe Smith for a heartfelt conversation about rebuilding after divorce and learning to trust God’s guidance. Yolanda shares how the end of a seventeen-year marriage left her physically depleted, financially struggling, and overwhelmed by shame. Returning to her parents’ home with her two children, she wondered whether God could still use her. With her family’s support, prayer, and renewed time in Scripture, Yolanda began rebuilding her life. A Sunday school lesson sparked a deeper study of the Holy Spirit—a study that grew into teaching opportunities, books, workbooks, and a ministry helping others apply their faith to everyday life. Together, David and Yolanda explore listening to God, responding in obedience, receiving forgiveness, and finding purpose beyond painful choices and circumst…

Sometimes an ordinary moment becomes a lesson in trusting God that stays with your family for generations. In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes Christian children’s author, former teacher, and Front Parking Spot podcast host Jennifer Bosma for an encouraging conversation about everyday faith and sharing Jesus with children. Jennifer recounts how attending a Billy Graham crusade at fourteen helped her begin a personal relationship with Jesus. She also shares how opening up about childhood fears brought comfort and taught her the importance of seeking support rather than struggling in silence. The heart of her ministry grew from an unexpected place: a theme park parking lot. Choosing a different direction from the crowd became a lasting illustration of listening to God, stepping forward in faith, and trusting Him with the outcome. As a mother of three daughters and grandmother of five girls, Jennifer explains how stories, prayer, and Scripture can help fam…

John P. Boyle became a company president and CEO at twenty-nine. Behind his professional success, he was struggling with childhood trauma and drinking to get through each day. In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes the author of Appalachian Kid and Invisible Wounds for an honest conversation about abuse, addiction, recovery, and the people who become lifelines when hope feels distant. Growing up in a violent home in West Virginia, John experienced symptoms he could not explain: flashbacks, insomnia, constant tension, and feeling unsafe even when no danger was present. Alcohol offered temporary relief while the underlying wounds remained. At thirty-four, facing serious health consequences, a drinking buddy’s unexpected invitation to church opened a door. John describes finding peace, gaining the courage to enter rehabilitation, and finally receiving a diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder. He shares how faith, professional treatment, and suppo…

What changes when you begin seeing yourself through God’s love instead of through shame? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes Jai Roza, creator of Eden’s Conflict, for an honest conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, spiritual searching, and discovering a new identity in Christ. Jai shares how childhood sexual abuse left him carrying painful secrets and unanswered questions. As a teenager, he struggled with pornography and explored New Age practices, describing spiritual experiences that became increasingly frightening and controlling. During a desperate night, an unexpected phone call interrupted his plans to end his life and opened a door toward seeking Jesus. His journey involved setbacks, honest prayer, and learning to surrender areas of his life one step at a time. A turning point came when he began questioning the condemning labels he had accepted about himself and looking to Scripture to understand his identity in Christ. Today, Jai uses …

What does religious freedom mean—and why should people of faith protect it for those who believe differently? In this Fourth of July special celebrating America’s 250th birthday, David W. Ebel welcomes documentary filmmaker Andrew Linn for a conversation about personal faith, freedom of conscience, and the story behind his film, Church and State: Roger Williams and the Founding of Freedom of Religion. Andrew shares how his mother’s encouragement, his brother’s changed life, and reading the Gospel of Matthew helped him embrace faith in Jesus. He describes how discipleship and Christian friendships shaped his life and eventually inspired him to use filmmaking to tell the stories of overlooked people. The conversation turns to Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, whose convictions challenged religious coercion in colonial America. Through his documentary, Andrew explores Williams’s commitment to freedom of conscience and the questions his story raises about church, gover…

Rejection can shape how you see yourself—but it does not have to define the rest of your story. In this episode of *God Says Yes*, David W. Ebel welcomes pastor and *Rooted in Christ* podcast host Eric Stephen for an honest conversation about rejection, destructive habits, and discovering an identity grounded in God’s love. Raised by his mother and grandmother in Cleveland, Eric carried painful wounds from his biological father’s absence and rejection. In college, his desire to belong led him deeper into heavy drinking, drugs, and behavior that hurt himself and others. His grandmother’s death became a turning point toward faith. But Eric’s journey included setbacks, overwhelming shame, and a suicidal crisis interrupted by a pastor’s timely phone call. He shares how discipleship, supportive relationships, Scripture, and daily surrender helped him rebuild his life. Eric explains why lasting change involves more than stopping harmful habits: it also means developing habits th…

How do you keep trusting God when life brings wounds you never expected? In this episode of *God Says Yes*, David W. Ebel reconnects with longtime friend Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner for a heartfelt conversation about God’s love, finding freedom through forgiveness, and rebuilding after devastating loss. At seventeen, Sheryl was struggling with drugs, alcohol, and a desperate need to belong. At a Christian camp, she encountered people who offered patient love instead of shame. Their kindness helped her understand that she could come to Jesus just as she was. Years later, a painful church experience left Sheryl and her pastor husband facing bitterness, financial uncertainty, and the loss of their ministry community. She shares how learning to forgive became a turning point toward freedom and a deeper understanding of her identity in Christ. Sheryl also recounts undergoing treatment for stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, recovering, and later losing her husband in a motorcycle a…

Have you prayed for someone you love and wondered whether they will ever turn to God? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes pastor, author, and ministry leader Dr. Keith Haney for a heartfelt conversation about God’s pursuing love, healing division, and the power of His Word to transform lives. Keith shares the painful story of his father’s struggles with alcoholism, a hurtful church encounter, and the grief and unanswered questions he faced after his father’s death. Through the story of the prodigal son, he found encouragement in God’s persistent love—a message that continues to shape his ministry. He also describes helping a congregation work through racial division and worship conflicts, building relationships through Bible study, and guiding churches through change with grace and compassion. If you are carrying concern for a loved one, recovering from church hurt, or longing for greater unity in your church, this conversation offers hope and a reminde…

Struggling to sleep when your mind won’t slow down? What connection might rest have with your spiritual life? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes Dr. Benjamin Long for a thoughtful conversation about sleep, faith, and the unconditional love of God. Together, they explore the theology of sleep, the effects of stress on rest, and how understanding our bodies can help us better understand our individual sleep needs. Dr. Long discusses sleep stages, circadian rhythms, and naps—including why the same approach may not work for everyone. The conversation also touches on church hurt, spiritual encouragement, and finding comfort in God’s presence during difficult nights. Dr. Long emphasizes the importance of looking beyond sleep misinformation and seeking personalized guidance from a qualified sleep health professional. Whether you struggle with restless nights or simply want to understand sleep better, this episode offers insight and encouragement for caring fo…

Faith Through Chronic Illness: Finding Strength in God’s Love | Steve Ward

If God is loving and powerful, why does He allow prolonged suffering—and how do we trust Him when answers seem out of reach? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes author David Libby for a deeply personal conversation about chronic illness, caregiving, and faith tested by years of hardship. David shares how his wife and both daughters developed debilitating illnesses that brought severe pain, seizures, and life-changing limitations. As their caregiver, he often felt near his breaking point while watching the people he loved struggle. His family’s experience also raised difficult questions about God’s goodness, sovereignty, and purpose. Through honest conversations with his daughter, David wrestled with those questions and found a deeper confidence in God—even without a complete explanation for their suffering. He reflects on the strength he received, the small mercies that sustained his family, and the lasting value of caring for those we love. He also int…

What do you do when you lose your job at sixty-three and fear your retirement savings won’t last? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes entrepreneur and author David Nassief for an honest conversation about financial uncertainty, identity, and trusting God when your plans fall apart. After eighteen years with the same company, David was fired. Facing rejection from prospective employers and worried about providing for his family, he started a business as an independent sales agent—with no salary or safety net. David shares how prayer, perseverance, and a commitment to learning helped him rebuild. He also describes a deeper change: discovering that his worth rested in being a child of God, a husband, and a father, rather than in his corporate title. His experience inspired the One Page Wealth Compass, a simple framework for organizing financial principles that he now shares with others. If job loss, money worries, or a late-life setback have left you di…

Have rejection, disappointment, or painful experiences left you wondering whether you are enough—or whether God still wants to use your life? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes author and coach Cathy Colver Garland for a heartfelt conversation about surrender, healing, and discovering that God’s love is personal. Raised in a ministry family, Cathy began questioning faith as a teenager. With her father’s support, she explored those questions and developed a relationship with Jesus that became her own. That faith sustained her through divorce, miscarriages, years of waiting for children, and serious injuries. Cathy shares how surrender became a turning point—not because her struggles disappeared, but because she began trusting God with her fears, wounds, and future. She also discusses helping others through painful seasons and the message behind her books, Revelationship and the Known devotional: understanding who God is can help us understand our identi…