A humiliating arrest on a college visit. A long drive home with a father’s hard words. And then a student camp where the gospel finally clicked. That sequence didn’t just clean up a teenager’s weekends—it set the course for a pastor, a church plant that grew from a living room to multiple campuses, and a family devoted to helping others meet Jesus in everyday moments.

We sit down with Pastor Jonathan "Pastor J" Howes to trace the arc from party culture to purposeful living. He explains how a single verse—“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”—became a new identity, and how discipleship through sports gave him a model to follow on ordinary days. We unpack the question so many wrestle with: How do you really know you’re going to heaven? Pastor J lays out a clear, biblically grounded assurance rooted in grace, not a life scorecard, and shows why that security matters for mental health, resilience, and joy.

From there, we get practical. You’ll hear the three pillars that keep faith strong: join a Christ‑centered church, open the Bible daily, and commit to a small group that practices honest accountability. Pastor J shares his group’s “stay in the fire” rule and how simple daily check‑ins keep the flame alive. We also talk about Spiritual Moments, the devotional book he co‑wrote with his wife Jennifer, built to help families reclaim quiet, unhurried conversations around Scripture with icebreakers, short teachings, and prayer prompts. And we end with a challenge from Joshua 3: most moves of God start when we get our feet wet. If you’ve been waiting on certainty, this is your nudge to take the next step—invite, lead, serve—and trust God to meet you in motion.

If this conversation encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a quick review so more people can find the Road to Redemption. Your story might change when your toes hit the water.

For more information contact us at
rtrdestiny@gmail.com

What if the most powerful parenting tool isn’t a system or schedule, but a life your children can watch up close? We sit down with Caroline Hawkins to talk about raising kids with a calm center—grounded in Scripture, shaped by worship, and honest about the mess. Caroline recommends reading Proverbs 31 and the daily practice of “putting on love,” as we share the moments that change the atmosphere of a home: apologizing when we blow it, praying over our kids by name, and inviting them to join us rather than forcing them to conform.

Our conversation gets real about the modern thorns: screens everywhere, comparison, and the exhaustion that comes from being “on” all the time. We unpack a sane path forward—clear tech boundaries explained as love, not control; delaying devices and social media; collecting phones at night; and training kids to make wise choices when you’re not around. The goal is to move from cop to coach to counselor as they grow, empowering them to own their faith and decisions. For the parent who’s in a dry season, we offer practical ways to meet God on the move: audio Scripture in the car, worship in the background, and five-minute resets that can steady a whole day.

Threaded through everything is a hopeful call: our greatest mission is our children’s salvation. We talk about sowing and watering seeds of faith, trusting God’s timing for prodigals, and finding strength in church and small groups where honest community feels like free therapy. If you’re longing for children or healing from loss, you’ll hear gentle encouragement to hold onto hope and embrace the season you’re in, knowing God works in the unseen.

Listen for simple practices you can try tonight, Scriptures to pray in the morning, and a vision of home that trades chaos for peace without pretending life is tidy. If this resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review to help more parents find a path toward a quieter, stronger center.

For more information contact us at
rtrdestiny@gmail.com

Lori Smith never imagined she'd find herself sitting alone in a dark parking lot, tears streaming down her face, begging God for direction after her world collapsed. As publisher and executive editor of Life Media Group—a thriving media company with eight newspapers across Florida's Emerald Coast—Lori now radiates confidence and purpose. But the road to her current success required navigating through extraordinary pain.

"I lost everything," Lori reveals in this raw, emotional conversation with host Valerie Peterson. Her story unfolds as she details facing a painful divorce after a decade of trying to save her marriage, mourning her mother's death, enduring financial devastation, and relocating to a community where she knew no one—all simultaneously. The image of Lori crying in her car before work, during lunch breaks, and on the drive home paints a vivid picture of someone in pure survival mode.

The turning point came through divine intervention when, during her darkest moment, she heard God audibly release her from her marriage—a direction that contradicted everything she believed about divorce. This moment of clarity didn't eliminate her suffering but provided the permission she needed to move forward. Throughout this valley, Lori clung to specific worship songs that articulated her pain when she couldn't find words to pray, and to the promise that faith "the size of a mustard seed" was enough to sustain her.

What makes Lori's testimony particularly powerful is her transformation from brokenness to becoming what she calls a "marketplace minister"—someone who brings Christ's presence into professional settings without formal ministry credentials. Now leading a successful media company, she prays with clients, speaks hope into business relationships, and uses her platform to influence others for Christ. Her journey proves that our darkest moments don't define us—they can become the very experiences God uses to equip us for greater impact and purpose.

Ready to experience hope in your own journey? Listen to Lori's full testimony and discover how faith can sustain you through your darkest valleys. Connect with Lori at lori@lifemediagrp.com or visit MyDestinLife.com to learn more about her work in the community.

For more information contact us at
rtrdestiny@gmail.com