HomeWord with Jim Burns

Today, Jim welcomes Cindi J. Martin, a licensed psychotherapist with over 40 years of experience in counseling and ministry. As Founder and Director of Wellspring Counseling Ministries, Cindi integrates biblical faith with mental health support to help individuals and couples heal from trauma, addiction, and relational challenges. Cindi recently released a truly excellent book called Choosing Intimacy: Exploring Christ’s Model for ...

*Trigger Warning* This episode contains adult themes around pornography and marital betrayal.

For the wife whose husband was unfaithful or discovered to have a sexual addiction, you know the pain, anger, and sense of betrayal that overtakes you. Today’s guest, Dr. Sheri Denham Keffer, knows this agony all too well - and her journey through it is what led her to help women in a similar situation today. Dr. Sheri Denham Keffer receive...

Do you consider yourself a go-with-the-flow parent? Or are you a little more rigid? When it comes to raising our kids, it turns out that flexibility and adaptability are vital to effective parenting - but that doesn’t mean boundaries and authority don’t have their place. Today, Jim welcomes Dr. Danny Huerta. Dr. Huerta is a bilingual psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, author of 7 Traits of Effective Parenting, and the V...

Forgiveness is hard. There are hurts so deep that the pain has become a familiar friend you can’t imagine life without  - so how do you move forward? Today, Jim welcomes back Ruth Graham, author, speaker, and founder of Ruth Graham Ministries, to discuss her book Forgiving My Father, Forgiving Myself. Ruth’s story is full of deep wounds that affected her for years until she discovered the true freedom found in Christ’s love and how...

‘Outdo one another in showing honor.’ - Romans 12:10 

This isn’t a marriage verse - is it? When we are looking for opportunities to “outdo” one another in honor, love, and kindness, the relationship can’t help but flourish. And if we try to “outlove” our spouse daily (not out of unhealthy competition or pride) but out of genuine desire to serve and support each other, pretty amazing things begin to happen - in AND out of the bedroom...

It’s no secret that parenting looks different now than it did when our parents and grandparents were having kids. This may even be a point of tension in how you parent now! But what are some of the golden parenting nuggets from generations gone by that may be of use today?

Today, Jim welcomes friend Rick Bundschuh: a veteran surfer, Youth Pastor, Bible Teacher, writer, cartoonist, humorist, and one of the founding Pastors who launch...

Moms, have you wanted to pass on your life experiences and instill faith in your daughter, but you’re maybe feeling unqualified and unsure where to start? This episode is for you! Today, Jim welcomes mother-daughter duo, Sandra Stanley and Allie Stanley Cooney to talk about their new book, Meet Me in The Middle, which is all about navigating conversations around life, faith, identity, relationships and more. Far more than just disc...

“Being a dad is the only thing a man does in his life without a specific plan.” - Jeff Hamilton

Cheat codes for parenting don’t exist but today’s episode with Dad Academy founder Jeff Hamilton is the next best thing. If you’re a dad and you’re desperate to do this parenting thing well and you’re not entirely sure how to do it, this one’s for you! Join Jim and Jeff as they unpack 4 key principles to father with purpose and build a la...

In today’s episode, Jim welcomes his friend Dr. Aaron Santmyire. Aaron is a husband, father, nurse practitioner, author, and host of The Clarity Podcast. Aaron has spent the last 20 years of his life serving in Africa, specifically Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and Kenya, and recently released a book called A Caring Family: Seven Virtues that Help Your Family Care Better and Love Longer. Together, Jim and Aaron dive into the value of t...

When someone we love is suffering, we can feel utterly helpless. We long to trust God, but frustration creeps in when healing doesn’t come, and exhaustion from caregiving on an empty tank weighs us down. Where can we find the hope and peace God promises in His Word?

Today, Jim welcomes author, entrepreneur, and career coach Camille Block to discuss her new book, Hope for Secondhand Suffering: Tools for the Heart When You Can’t Fix Y...

Those of us who have been married for more than a few years understand that while marriage is wonderful it can also be frustrating, lonely, and, at times, HARD - but it doesn’t have to be hard all the time! Today, Jim welcomes back author and speaker Arlene Pellicane to discuss her brand new book, Making Marriage Easier. Jim and Arlene unpack the 4 key decisions you can make within your marriage to clarify your values and create a ...

Husbands, are you aware that your wife has unique sexual needs? Wives, do you recognize that your husband does too? And married couples—are you even talking about it? According to today’s guests, Dr. Gary and Barbie Rosberg, many couples don’t. But open communication and understanding each other’s needs are essential for a satisfying sex life and a thriving marriage. Join Jim as he explores the distinct sexual needs of men and wome...

Jim Burns founded HomeWord in 1985, and we are constantly amazed at what God has done since then! As each new generation begins their parenting journey, we strive to meet their needs - and boy, some of their needs are very different from when we began 40 years ago. With the rise of technology, questions around gender ideology, and the decline of faith-focused homes, how are we adapting? Today, Jim welcomes Marcus Preciado, the new ...

“We become our habits, and our kids become us. This is why habits of the household are the most spiritually formative thing parents do.”

Today, Jim welcomes writer, speaker, and lawyer Justin Whitmel Earley to speak about, what Jim has called, one of the best parenting books he has ever read: Habits of The Household. Throughout this revelatory conversation, Jim and Justin discuss the beauty of daily rhythms and how each choice helps...

“Is technology bringing my family together or pushing my family apart?” 

Technology is such an integral part of society that it can worm its way into our lives without much notice - but if we really ponder this question, are we content with our answer? Today, Jim welcomes Dr. Alice Benton back to the show with an insightful Q&A all about our digital use as families. Dr. Alice is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes i...

For those of us with teens on the verge of leaving for college, it’s understandable that our prayer for them is that they will stand strong in their faith once out of our sight. We hope they will keep and honor the values they were raised with - but what if they don’t? Today, Jim welcomes Sean McDowell to discuss his book, Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith. Sean, a prolific author, gifted speake...

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘discipline’? Depending on how you were raised, that word can bring up all kinds of memories and emotions! Too often the word discipline is synonymous with punishment but are they actually the same thing? Today, Jim welcomes Embracing Your Season podcast host and licensed mental health counselor Paige Clingenpeel back to the show to discuss the nuance of discipline as discipleship and how...

Struggling to find your footing in marriage? Feeling lonely, misunderstood, or like your relationship is at a crossroads? You’re not alone. Even marriages of 30+ years face truly tough seasons, grief, and moments of uncertainty. In this episode, Jim sits down with Ron and Nan Deal - seasoned veterans of marriage who’ve faced these challenges head-on and come out stronger. Ron, a marriage and family therapist and acclaimed author, a...

Parenting often feels like a whirlwind, leaving little time to recognize the valuable lessons we’re learning along the way - mostly because those lessons don't become clear until we have a moment of quiet reflection (a rare occurrence until the kids leave the house!). In this episode, Jim sits down with author and podcast host Sarah Bragg to explore the personal growth that unfolds as we navigate the joys and challenges of rai...