Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk

Between mask mandates and social distancing, the CDC claims the COVID pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in adolescent suicide attempts. On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. Tim Clinton and Jennifer Cisney-Ellers, a professional counselor and crisis response trainer, explain that due to the pandemic, many youths experienced tremendous loss of experiences and opportunities they will never get back. Dr. Clinton and Cisney-Ellers urge Christian parents to be attuned to their teens’ mental and emotional well-being, and watch out for emotional disconnect. If needed, parents can also consider strategies such as home education and limited use of smartphones and social media.

For various reasons, adolescence can be emotionally difficult for teenagers. Lack of self-worth can sometimes lead to the tragedy of suicide. On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson and Dr. Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors, alert parents to the warning signs in their teens’ behavior and recommend how best to respond. The key is to connect; talk with your son or daughter, communicate your unconditional love and get the help that he or she needs.

In today's culture, people mock the idea of abstinence. If you spend five minutes watching television or reading through some of the lyrics to the nation's most popular songs, you will find that many actors and artists place little value on purity and instead promote promiscuity. On today’s edition of Family Talk, the late Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the value of purity, and explains why she has made it part of her life's mission to help other people see the beauty of God's design for sexuality.

On today’s edition of Family Talk, the late Elisabeth Elliot, author of Passion and Purity, claims that too many self-professing Christian singles are having premarital sex. While they profess Jesus to be their Savior, they have rejected the authority of His Lordship. Despite the fact that First Corinthians 6:18 says, "Flee sexual immorality," some Christian singles feel it's optional whether they obey or not. Elliot insists that if you want to be Christ's disciple, then you must give up your rights, take up your cross, and follow Him.

Did you know that, according to the American Psychological Association, 25% of Americans experienced an anxiety disorder over the past year? On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. Tim Clinton and Dr. Gregory Jantz, author of The Anxiety Reset, analyze the avenues of anxiety and its treatment. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Dr. Jantz poses the question, "What do I need to do today to build that sound mind?"

On today’s edition of Family Talk, Pastor Tommy Nelson continues his sermon on biblical romance from the Song of Solomon. In chapter two, verse fifteen, he explains that the reference to the "little foxes that spoil the vineyard" is a warning about potential problems that could damage a courtship. Preventative measures to protect the relationship include listening attentively, resolving conflicts, avoiding premarital sex, and forgiving the other person like God forgives us.

Tommy Nelson is the senior pastor of Denton Bible Church, located in Denton, Texas. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Education and received his Master in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is a best-selling author of several books including, A Life Well Lived, The Book of Romance, The Big Picture, and Walking on Water. Tommy and his wife, Teresa, live in Texas and have two adult sons.

On today’s Family Talk, former U.S. Congressman Bob McEwen joins Dr. Dobson in-studio to discuss what is right about America today. In a time of deep wounds and division within our culture, McEwen exhorts Americans, especially Christians, to be aware of our unique place in history. As President John Adams stated, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” A passionate advocate for homeschooling, McEwen underscores the importance of teaching our kids to fear God, love America, and honor their parents. Only then can we preserve this last and greatest hope on earth. United we stand; divided we fall.

On today’s edition of Family Talk, former U.S. Congressman and Dobson Institute advisory board member Bob McEwen declares that there were two great events in world history. First, Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice by dying on the cross for our sins. And second, on July 4, 1776, America was born as an independent nation. Despite the obvious lines of division that exist in our country today, we must remain faithful to the principles that built this great nation. It was founded in liberty and has become a lighthouse to the world for the gospel and for truth.

In December 2020, Shaunti Feldhahn was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. Having just written a 60-day devotional entitled Find Joy, she learned the importance of personally practicing gratitude. On today’s Family Talk, Shaunti explains when she was gripped by raw fear over yet another biopsy, she thanked God for the advance of medicine. She was also genuinely grateful for and energized by the presence of her friends who reached out. Shaunti’s trial affirmed God’s goodness and faithfulness in her life.

When Pastor Jentezen (pronounced JEN-sen) Franklin’s eldest daughter eloped, he felt in his flesh that, “the wrath of man would produce the righteousness of God. But it never does!” On today’s edition of Family Talk, the author of Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt urges us to love like Christ. Whether your adult child has rejected your values or you’ve been betrayed by a friend, it is never lowering your standards to love them. Like the Prodigal Son’s father exemplified, love will never fail.

Jentezen (pronounced JEN-sen) Franklin, a “preacher's kid,” went down the wrong path in high school like so many youngsters do. After hearing a sermon from a Trinidad missionary, he started his adult walk with the Lord. On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. Dobson and Franklin, a pastor in Gainesville, Georgia, discuss the power that God’s love has to transform hearts, heal brokenness in the face of crisis, and bring restoration.

Does your son or daughter have low self-esteem? Would you recognize what it looks like? On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. Gary Sibcy, a clinical psychologist, warns that a teen’s emotional pain can lead to sleeplessness, irritability, and social isolation. Parents need to remember that kids spell “love,” T-I-M-E. It is important to invest just 15 minutes a day in your relationship with each of your children by doing something they enjoy.

On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. Tim Clinton interviews Dr. Gary Sibcy. The two urge parents to help their children develop a healthy self-esteem by showing them how to manage the childhood stresses of teasing, peer pressure, and rejection as they grow up. As you lovingly encourage your kids to rely on Christ, they can develop a sound, true view of God and themselves.

As children, we often listened to fairy tales in which it was Prince Charming’s job to sweep the heroine off her feet and "live happily ever after." But what happens if the prince fails? On today’s edition of Family Talk, Rhonda Stoppe (pronounced STOP-ee), Christian author of The Marriage Mentor, says the key to a successful marriage is to find your worth in Christ first. Our prayer should echo Psalm 139. "Search me, O God, and know my heart. Know my anxious thoughts and see if there's any wicked way in me."