Joni And Friends Ministry Podcast

“Dystonia is like being imprisoned in a body with a mind of its own… but I wouldn’t trade the hardest times for the deep relationship I have gained with the Lord.” This week Crystal is talking with Abigail Brown, a young woman who lives with joy in Christ as she faces the challenges and limitations of dystonia. As a 3-year-old, Abigail contracted Rocky Mountain spotted fever which was misdiagnosed by her doctors and caused brain damage. Although her parents were told that she would have a full recovery within a year, their lives were turned upside down when it became apparent that Abigail would never talk with her mouth again.Listen as Abigail shares her story with the help of her communication device, and encourages anyone who is feeling alone, left behind, or hopeless, that you are not alone. Because even when life doesn't make sense, God has a plan and you have a purpose.Read Abigail's BlogQuestions or comments? Email Crystal at podcast@joniandfriends.orgSupport Joni and Friends to help make this podcast p

“It’s been my hope and my desire for Max to be a mighty man of God... and that’s exactly what God has done."How do family dynamics shift when a child with autism becomes an adult? For special needs parents, worry about your child’s future can begin at any age. What will happen when my child ages out of the school system? How will they transition to adult services, college, or work?This week on the podcast Emily Colson is talking about her son Max’s transition from boyhood to adulthood, and how through each season of life God has supported their family. Because even as Max became an adolescent, Emily began to fear graduation, wondering what would happen without their provided services and routines. But with the support of her church, Emily has learned to celebrate each victory as she’s navigated issues in the adult world and found meaningful activities for her son (including a new ministry of encouragement birthed during the pandemic).With paying jobs, volunteer work, and a day program, Max’s days have been fu

April is Autism Awareness Month and we’re celebrating with a special podcast conversation featuring author and speaker Emily Colson. Emily and her 30-year-old son Max who lives with autism are on a heart-filled mission for you! Like many families living with disability, their world shifted in an instant when the pandemic shut down all systems of support. But as they faced a new normal during a challenging quarantine, Emily prayed: “How can we be a blessing to someone else every day?”With this prayer, she and Max began to paint. As Max painted beautiful joy-filled hearts on yard signs, he and Emily began delivering these encouraging hearts across their community. Now months later, listen as Emily shares God’s creative answer to her prayer and how the blessing of Max’s heart ministry has reached further than she could have imagined.Order Your Heart by Max CardsLearn More About Joni and Friends' Church Training Resources Questions or comments? Email Crystal at podcast@joniandfriends.orgSupport Joni and Friends t

How can the church best walk alongside someone living with a chronic illness?Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko is a writer and poet who has remained tenacious amid her various physical and mental illnesses. She joined Crystal on season 2 of the podcast to talk about the healing process of lament, and is returning to share about her relationship with the church as she lives with chronic conditions.The needs of someone living with a long-term illness are unique, and the day-today challenges can often feel isolating. Be encouraged as Jennifer talks through her experience and offers a practical framework for how to step into someone’s suffering. Because within the body of Christ, the complex diversity of people living with disabilities reveals the complex beauty of God.Download Jennifer's Poem, Clip My WingsFollow Jennifer on Instagram Learn More About Joni and Friends' Church Training ResourcesRead Disability and the Gospel Questions or comments? Email Crystal at podcast@joniandfriends.orgSupport Joni and Friends to help make

“I don’t understand why all these hard things keep happening, and sometimes I wonder why God doesn’t just fix it. But I have to trust that he is doing something bigger… and one day we’ll see it.”When Vaneetha Risner’s infant son died due to a doctor’s error, she felt devoid of purpose and feeling. Hadn’t she suffered enough? Multiple childhood hospitalizations due to polio, years of being bullied, the heartache of her husband’s unfaithfulness, and losing three babies to miscarriage—wasn’t there a limit to how much pain one could endure? What happened to the abundant life God promised? And could she survive whatever might come next?In her new memoir, Walking Through Fire, Vaneetha details her courageous journey toward wholeness amidst a world of brokenness. And to celebrate the release, she hosted a special conversation with friends to talk about their personal experiences with suffering and how God has met them in it. This week on the podcast, Vaneetha is sharing her conversations with Joni Eareckson Tada, Pa

It’s not that she’s not grieving, it’s that she’s put her hope in someone that won’t disappoint. Something greater is happening in her grief.On our last episode of the podcast, Bekah Bowman shared about finding beauty and goodness in the middle of unthinkable loss. As a coach's wife and mother to two young boys, Titus and Ely, Bekah served as a children's pastor and teacher until Batten disease came knocking at her door. This week, she is talking about her journey with grief as she walked through the fatal diagnosis for both of her sons. Hear how she’s learned to hold both pain and joy simultaneously, and how God has used Bekah’s community to minister to her when she’s been unable to support herself.If you are journeying with grief today, subscribe to the podcast. Be encouraged by Bekah’s conversation about experiencing Jesus in a whole new way in the middle of brokenness and loss. Read Can’t Steal My Joy: The Journey to a Different Kind of Brave.Find Bekah on Instagram and Facebook. Questions or comments? Em

How do you stay grounded when your life path takes an unexpected turn? Is it possible to hold pain in one hand and joy in the other? This week on the podcast, Bekah Bowman is sharing her journey of finding beauty and goodness amid unthinkable loss and grief.Bekah is a coach's wife and mother to two boys, Titus and Ely. She served as a children's pastor and teacher until Batten disease came knocking at her door. Facing the heartbreak of a fatal diagnosis for both children, Bekah journeyed through dark valleys of death and grief. But it's been in these deeply broken places that she’s experienced Jesus in a whole new way.If you are in a season of mourning or struggling with the heaviness of life, hear where Bekah has found hope and joy. Be encouraged to see wholeness in cracks, courage in the broken-hearted, and bravery in the act of letting go.Read Can’t Steal My Joy: The Journey to a Different Kind of Brave.Find Bekah on Instagram and Facebook. Questions or comments? Email Crystal at podcast@joniandfriends.org

More than one billion people live with disability worldwide, and COVID-19 has only aggravated their struggles. Hunger, unemployment, and lack of medical care have left many people in need of hope. This week on the podcast, we’re kicking off season 3 with a special conversation between Crystal Keating and Founder of Joni and Friends, Joni Eareckson Tada. Listen as they discuss the staggering needs of families with special needs and how a brand-new ministry initiative was birthed out of the pandemic.Joni first gives an update on her recovery from COVID-19 and shares how this personal challenge has made her even more eager to provide complete, Christ-centered care to people living with disability. Learn how Joni and Friends is on the frontlines showing the love of Jesus as we meet vital needs through Joni’s House!Learn More About Joni’s House Questions or comments? Email Crystal at podcast@joniandfriends.orgSupport Joni and Friends to help make this podcast possible.Follow Joni and Friends on Facebook, Twitter,

We’re so excited to kick off season 3 of the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast! Over this past year, we’ve all faced unexpected changes, many leading to uncertainty about health, employment, and caregiving. And throughout the pandemic, Joni and Friends has heard from many struggling with loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Aren’t we all in need of real hope? This season on the podcast, Crystal Keating is sharing hope through hardship and bringing you real conversations about disability, offering practical ways to include people with special needs in your church and community. And along with her encouraging conversations, Crystal will be inviting some of our special guests to answer your questions related to disability. If you have a question or a topic you’d like hear discussed on the podcast, please send Crystal a message at podcast@joniandfriends.org.And next week to kick off season 3, Crystal will be joined by our Founder and CEO, Joni Eareckson Tada! Listen in to hear an update on Joni’s health and recov

“Around the world, one of the biggest challenges people living with disabilities are facing is access to services…they’re being left behind.”While the global impact of COVID-19 has distressed communities around the world, people living with disability have been hit the hardest. Shutdowns have impacted workforces, transportation systems, and supply chains creating serious consequences, especially in developing countries where families have limited access to basic food and medical care. Today on the podcast, Jason Holden, VP of Global Operations at Joni and Friends, is sharing about the critical challenges being faced by people impacted by disability worldwide. As families face hunger, lack of medical supplies, and deeper isolation, Joni and Friends has shifted our ministry focus to meet these vital needs. Hear how we’re leveraging international partnerships to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of people living with disability and provide ongoing support and community through the body of Christ.Worldwi

“COVID-19 has not stopped us from sharing the love of Jesus.”During the pandemic, Joni and Friends has been hard at work finding creative ways to serve families living with disability. In Louisiana where multiple hurricanes have pounded the state, our team has been able to support people who have faced critical challenges, even beyond the restrictions of COVID-19.Today on the podcast, Leslie Dozier, Area Director of Joni and Friends Louisiana, is sharing about the ministry taking place in her region. Hear how she’s been able to engage local churches to offer ongoing care, support, and discipleship during this challenging season. Subscribe to the podcast to be inspired by her heart for building networks of support to share the hope of the Gospel with people impacted by disability across the state of Louisiana! Support the Work of Joni and Friends Louisiana This Christmas, send the hope of Christ and practical help to individuals and families impacted by disability. Give the Perfect Gift! Questions or comments?

“Lament is simply pouring out your anxieties and pain to God…in the expectation that God hears you and He is willing to do something about it.”2020 has been a year of heightened heartache. Unpredictable circumstances, isolation, and extreme loss have left many people wondering how to process their grief through the lens of Scripture, and in relationship to God’s goodness and sovereignty.  This week on the podcast, Crystal has invited Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko to join her in focusing on the biblical practice of lament. Jennifer, who lives with a number of chronic conditions, is walking through the cleansing and healing process of crying out to God through seasons of deep grief. If you are feeling weighed down today by emptiness or loss, be encouraged by Jennifer’s insight and guidance for the important practice of lament.  Download Jennifer's Poem, Vision Through BloodFollow Jennifer on Instagram This Christmas, send the hope of Christ and practical help to individuals and families impacted by disability. Give the Pe

"What God gives us in suffering is more than he takes away."Vaneetha Risner contracted polio as an infant, was misdiagnosed, and lived with widespread paralysis. In and out of the hospital for ten years, she faced bullying after each hospital stay. When she became a Christian, Vaneetha thought things would get easier, and for a time they did: carefree college days, a dream job in Boston, and an MBA from Stanford where she met and married a classmate.But life unraveled again. She had four miscarriages and her son died because of a doctor's mistake. Vaneetha was later diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, meaning she would likely become a quadriplegic. And when her husband betrayed her, he moved out and left her to raise two adolescent daughters alone. Today on the podcast, Vaneetha is talking with Crystal about the grace God has given her to forgive those whose harmful choices radically altered the course of her life. As a modern-day Job, her story of loss, suffering, questioning, and anger has become a life fil

“God is sovereign and still good. Even when I think we are in some sort of holding pattern, He always makes a way through.”At just 18 years old, Mireille Blanchard developed a severe blood clotting disorder that was unknowingly triggered by her acne medication. When ER doctors discovered more than 36 blood clots lighting up the scan of her lungs, Mireille wasn’t sure if she would live to see the next morning.Today on the podcast, she is sharing about her battle with chronic illness and the emotional repercussions she’s faced over the past decade. Hear how Mireille has seen God’s grace in her health, marriage, and community of support, and be inspired by her advice for creatively supporting people on societal margins. Questions or comments? Email Crystal at podcast@joniandfriends.orgSupport Joni and Friends to help make this podcast possible.Follow Joni and Friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.Help other people find this podcast by leaving us a 5-star review! *Joni and Friends was founded in 19

“Troubled times causes great anxiety in our hearts... It reveals our weakness and false hopes. It can lead us to desperation, but it can also turn us toward God and teach us where to find real food for our souls.”Has the isolation and anxiety of the past few months caused you to become COVID-weary? As we approach winter, many people are battling lethargy, malaise, and depression. During this prolonged season of isolation, it can be difficult to tune our own levels of stress. And as families are challenged by limited support services, stress can lead to burnout – circumstances simply don’t allow for needed rest and recuperation.This week on the podcast, psychologist Dr. Jay Fine is back to talk about how to manage stress and avoid burnout, especially during this challenging season. Recognizing that we are all impacted physically, emotionally, and spiritually during a prolonged time of strain, he is sharing common stress symptoms, how to identify your stressors, and tools for avoiding burn out. Questions or com

“Be honest with your emotions. Ask for help. A diagnosis is a detour, a change in the map. It’s not the end of the map. It’s a new journey to a different destination.”How do you cope when you are faced with an unexpected diagnosis or a sudden life-altering disability? What do friends and family members need to understand about how their loved ones might be feeling as they learn to live with a new normal?This week on the podcast Crystal is talking with Dr. Jay Fine, a Christian counselor and psychologist who specializes in working with families impacted by disability. As an adoptive father to 3 children - two living with disability - God has used Jay’s 38 years of practice and personal experiences to provide the hope of Christ and practical tools to many families facing various hardships.Be encouraged today by his wisdom and advice for adjusting to a new normal when disability is involved. Be inspired to “do something” as you cope with whatever new challenge you might be facing! Questions or comments? Email Cr

"When you’re not sure what to offer, your very presence can be a gift."People of all abilities need community, a place to fully belong and share our gifts with others. But loneliness, especially exaggerated by the isolation of COVID-19, is one of the difficult realities faced by many adults with disabilities.Today on the podcast, Crystal is talking with author and educator Jenny Hill. Born with mild spastic cerebral palsy, Jenny didn’t experience the healing she prayed for as a girl, but she has learned to walk in the tension of God’s goodness and the challenges of cerebral palsy. In this conversation she shares honestly about her experiences with envy, grief, and loneliness, and where she has discovered healing for her soul. Jenny also offers tangible ways to share friendship with adults living with disability and the importance of sharing your story to create hope and community for others along life’s journey.Resources:Learn more about Jenny HillOrder Helping with Life Transitions: Engaging Young Adults wit

"Marriage is hard, but it's not too difficult for God to make it work." Even the best marriages require intentional effort to thrive. So, what happens when a relationship is complicated by dwarfism, discord, and discrimination?Last week, Angela Muir Van Etten talked with Crystal about her passion for raising awareness and advocating for people with dwarfism and disability. Today, Angela is back on the podcast to share her marriage story: how God took two people with numerous challenges and grew them into a faithful couple who have honored him. Standing at 3 feet, 4 inches, Angela and Robert’s common height wasn’t enough to hold their marriage together. When workaholism, a failing business, and a breakdown in communication put their relationship on the brink, they needed help! In today’s conversation, hear where Angela and Robert sought help and how they’ve been able to face life’s challenges head-on with love and faith. Their now 35-year marriage is a truly a picture of God’s power being made perfect in weakn

"When something is happening that shouldn't be, you look around and think, 'Who’s going to do something?' It's then you realize, 'God’s given me the skills to do this.'"Do you feel compelled to take action when you encounter ignorance and inequity? For Angela Muir Van Etten, she has made it her lifelong mission to raise awareness and advocate for people with dwarfism and disability. Standing at three-feet-four-inches, she a gentle, yet firm voice as she advocates for biblical standards of integrity and justice.As a dual citizen of New Zealand and the United States, Angela qualified as a lawyer and served as national president of Little People organizations in both countries. Today on the podcast, she is sharing her story and how her passion for advocacy has grown. Be encouraged by Angela’s conversation with Crystal and inspired to speak up for integrity and justice!  Learn more about Angela Muir Van Etten *October 15th is Joni Eareckson Tada 's 71st birthday! Celebrate with Joni! Questions or comments? Email

Thank you for listening to this special message from Joni Eareckson Tada.  We know this season of isolation has not been easy for families impacted by disability. The pandemic has challenged us to find new ways to serve families like yours. So now, want to hear from you!  We have created a brief survey so that we can better understand how to serve you and other families dealing with the same realities you face each day. We want to expand our programs to meet your needs, and your opinions matter to us.If you are part of a family living with disability, please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey.Thank you for sharing your input!www.surveymonkey.com/r/joniandfriends  Support Joni and Friends to help make this podcast possible.Follow Joni and Friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. *Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to