Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast

Shawn Thornton, our Joni and Friends President and Chief Ministry Officer returns to the podcast to share his experience and insight on disability ministry in the church. Raised with disability in his immediate family, Shawn has a unique perspective on how the church should care for people who live with disability. Hear how God has used his personal experience to grow him as a pastor and prepare him to reach the global church throu...

Shawn Thornton is the President and Chief Ministry Officer of Joni and Friends, an international non-profit organization founded by Joni Eareckson Tada that offers hands-on help and Gospel hope to people living with disabilities. With decades of pastoral experience, Shawn most recently served as Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California where he supported the development of a disability ministry prog...

Vaneetha Risner is no stranger to suffering. Having lived through polio, the loss of a child, and multiple miscarriages, she has wrestled with God and learned to trust in his goodness. Vaneetha joins Stephanie Daniels to share about her journey and how she has continued to hope in God through the darkness of deep pain. Their encouraging conversation will remind you that God sees you and reassure you that you never have to suffer al...

Kay Warren, known for cofounding Saddleback Church with her husband, Pastor Rick Warren, joins Stephanie Daniels to discuss a deeply personal topic. Kay is the mother of three adult children, including Matthew who lost his life to suicide at age 27 after years of chronic depression. Having walked beside her son through his suffering, and survived the anguish of his death, Kay has experienced firsthand the need for the church, and a...

Army Chaplain and special needs dad Matt McCraney joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about how the body of Christ can better embrace people living with disabilities. Bringing personal, biblical, and academic perspectives, Matt identifies barriers that keep disabled people from finding their places of belonging in the church and he offers practical ways Christians can better demonstrate the love of Jesus to those living with disability...

Lars Nelson, a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet, joins Stephanie Daniels to share about his faith journey, career, and passion to see people with disabilities served and included by the church. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he began dance training at the age of 11, studied at the School of American Ballet, then joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in 2011. He is husband to Tanya and also brother t...

Author, speaker, and special needs mom Jess Ronne joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about her family’s story of beauty emerging from the ashes. She also offer insight into tangible ways to support families facing difficult seasons. Jess is the founder of The Lucas Project, named after her son with profound disabilities, which provides recognition and respite for parent caregivers. She and her husband Ryan, both of whom lost spouses t...

Meet special needs parents, business partners, and Christ-loving power couple Clifton (Cliff) and Lorraine Marshall. In an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Daniels, Cliff and Lorraine share about meeting on a blind date, forming a blended family, raising a child with a disability, and growing in faith—and love for one another—through life’s seasons and challenges. Tune in to be encouraged in your career, family life, and daily...

Larah Roberts, a dedicated mom, wife, and Christ-centered disability advocate, joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about raising children with autism as thriving followers of Jesus. Larah shares from her own family’s experience and her wisdom as the founder of the organization Raising Autistic Disciples. Don’t miss Larah’s heartfelt encouragement for individuals, churches, and communities to fully include, support, and disciple familie...

Discover more about Joni’s heart on the ADA: Did The Americans With Disabilities Act Really Guarantee Change? | Joni and Friends

At a celebratory reception after the signing of the ADA, Joni recalls hearing these words spoken by colleague Paul Hearne: 

“[The ADA] will provide greater access to public accommodation. Wheelchair users will no longer have to be carried up the steps of a restaurant. And one day buses across America will b...

• Learn more about Maggie Bushway and purchase your copy of her book, Pearls, A Memoir on Childhood Brain Cancer and Hope.
• Get your copy of Joni Eareckson Tada’s powerful book (one of Maggie’s favorites!), A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty.
• Receive biblical encouragement from Joni as you walk through cancer and other tough trials with her booklet, Facing Trials with Joy: Canc...

Abigail Brown has been living with dystonia since the age of three. You may remember her Season 3 podcast episode where she shares about living joyfully with dystonia. Abigail is the founder of Silent Inspirations, a creative studio that offers stationery and home decor based on her original artwork.

To encourage women who feel alone or stuck, whether because of a disability or other challenges, Abigail wrote her book, Unstuck: Movi...

Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. And you can be part of making this vision a reality! 

When you volunteer with Joni and Friends, you will transform lives by delivering hands-on help and the love of Jesus Christ to the people we serve.

Find volunteer opportunities near you!

Join one of our Wheels for the World™ outreach teams!

KEY QUESTION...

Joni and Friends staff member Sarah Fuller returns to the podcast to share how, with three biological children of their own, she and her husband sensed God calling to also serve as foster parents. In conversation with Stephanie Daniels, Sarah tells how her whole family has taken part in loving and sheltering children in foster care, and welcomed a child with disabilities into their family permanently through adoption. Hear how God ...

Joni and Friends staff member Sarah Fuller joins Stephanie Daniels to share her story of God’s faithfulness in calling her into missions, special education, and disability ministry. As a mom, Sarah has invited her children into service opportunities—often volunteering with Joni and Friends—which has shaped their hearts and the trajectories of their lives. Sarah shares how God uses everything from childhood dreams to disappointments...

Joni and Friends team member Randy Schwartz joins Stephanie Daniels to share about coming to faith as an adult, being a special needs dad and devoted husband, and learning to trust God with all aspects of life. When his younger son was born with spina bifida, Randy and his wife turned to Jesus, relying on his grace day by day.

Listen to our Season 6 conversation with Dr. Benjamin Warf, a neurosurgeon at Boston Children’s Hospital, w...

Learn more about Mandy Meehan and her faith journey while seeking to heal from fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and other chronic conditions. 

KEY QUESTIONS:

• Do you entrust your physical, emotional, and spiritual weakness to God? 
• Are you willing to talk about your struggles with a trusted person/people in your life? 
• How can you rest in the Lord today, trusting in his biblical promises? 

KEY SCRIPTURES:

• Second Corinthians 4:7–9:...

Learn more about Mandy Meehan and her faith journey while seeking to heal from fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and other chronic conditions.

Discover more inspiring stories of God’s faithfulness amid difficult chronic illnesses:

Living with Chronic Illness | Joni and Friends

When Skies Aren’t Blue: A Doctor’s Journey to Hope Amid Chronic Illness | Joni and Friends

KEY QUESTIONS:

• Where have you seen God’s gracious hand at work through ha...

Struggling with mental health can be part of being human in a broken world. Disciples of Christ have never been promised a trouble-free life. As many faithful believers, including Joni Eareckson Tada, can attest, grappling with depression and other mental health challenges, and even crises, is often part of the Christian walk. Our guest today, Joni and Friends staff member Kali Lilienthal, shares her story of how God has worked thr...