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.

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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.

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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.

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Sexual addiction silently destroys lives, marriages, and families while those struggling often feel hopelessly trapped in cycles of shame. In this powerful conversation, Steve Coppi and Corey Neal share their journey from decades of sexual shame to newfound freedom through honesty, accountability and a personal relationship with Jesus.

Steve reveals how his 45-year battle with pornography addiction began at age 12 and continued until he was 57. Rock bottom came when suicidal thoughts and unbearable hypocrisy drove him to make a desperate call to Corey. That single phone call began a transformation process when Corey responded not with judgment but with compassionate understanding: "That's not the worst I've heard before. You're going to be all right."

The conversation dives deep into how true accountability operates—not as behavior policing but as a confessional space where men can finally bring their darkest struggles into the light. Drawing from James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective". They emphasize that confession to trusted brothers provides the pathway to healing that so many desperately seek.

What sets this episode apart is the practical roadmap they offer for those currently struggling. They share how recovery begins with breaking denial, surrendering to a process, and participating in specialized groups where men find the tools, community, and biblical guidance necessary for lasting freedom. They emphasize that while the journey isn't easy, it leads to a life they never thought possible—marriages in restoration and reconnection with children.

For leaders and those wanting to help others, Steve and Corey announce their upcoming Men of Valor Conference on October 10-11, 2025 in Santa Rosa Beach FL, designed to equip people with the tools and understanding to effectively support those battling sexual addiction.

Ready to break free from sexual bondage or help someone who is? This episode provides both the hope and practical guidance needed to begin that journey today. The path to freedom starts with one honest conversation—just like the one that changed Steve's life forever.

For anyone struggling in this area contact Cory Neal at 850-368-3250 and Steve Coppi at 678-457-6471.

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What happens when someone truly goes "all in" with God? Travis Kring's return to Road to Redemption unveils the extraordinary transformation that unfolds when complete surrender meets divine grace.

Travis takes us back to that pivotal moment on a West Palm Beach shoreline in April 2021. Having lost his marriage, children, career, and hometown, he stood at life's crossroads facing a divine ultimatum: "Is this flesh day? Is this all about yourself or is this about me?" His decision to fully commit sparked a redemption journey that continues to accelerate with each passing day.

The conversation vibrates with authentic passion as Travis shares how his newfound boldness manifests in unexpected places. What began as two friends praying quietly by a gym water fountain has exploded into a daily gathering of 25+ people openly praying in a secular fitness center. This "ministry field" perfectly illustrates Travis's philosophy of spiritual offense rather than defense: "The devil's on full speed every day to attack us...we want to fight him back with scripture, with passion, putting people together."

Perhaps most powerful is Travis's raw honesty about isolation's dangers and community's healing power. "Isolation is where the devil takes us to die," he shares, contrasting this with the life-giving connections formed in men's groups where vulnerability and accountability flourish. His encounter with Dallas Jenkins (creator of The Chosen) reinforces his core message: listen intently when the Holy Spirit speaks and obey immediately, regardless how small the prompting.

Ready to move from being a fan to a follower of Christ? Travis's testimony offers both inspiration and practical pathways forward. His contagious enthusiasm for scripture reading, church attendance, and small group participation provides a roadmap for anyone seeking the "joy unspeakable" he's discovered through complete surrender to God.

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The grip of fear and anxiety has tightened around countless lives today—even among believers. What does it look like to break free? Join hosts John Martin and Valerie Peterson as they continue their heartfelt, practical discussion on overcoming these powerful emotions.

"False evidence appearing real." This simple acronym for fear reveals how deceptive our anxious thoughts can be. Throughout this conversation, John and Valerie offer transformative strategies for shifting the seesaw of emotions—when faith rises, fear naturally falls. They explain how thanksgiving acts as spiritual armor against anxiety, sharing the powerful truth from Philippians 4 about bringing everything to God with gratitude. For those struggling with persistent worry, they distinguish between experiencing the emotion of fear versus living under a spirit of fear.

The hosts tackle difficult questions head-on: Why do traumatic experiences trigger anxiety years later? How can we identify the "why behind the what" of our anxious responses? When bad news arrives, what scripture can anchor our hearts? Their honest admissions about their own battles with fear create a judgment-free space for listeners facing similar struggles.

Most powerfully, they share Ralph Waldo Emerson's profound wisdom: "Do the thing you fear most and the fear will leave you." This courage to act despite discomfort—to do it afraid—often becomes the pathway to freedom. Whether you're paralyzed by anxiety or simply seeking greater peace, this episode provides both compassionate understanding and practical tools for standing steadfast when life feels overwhelming. Listen, apply these principles, and discover how to manage your emotions rather than letting them manage you.

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Fear and anxiety touch all our lives, yet many of us—even believers—find ourselves trapped in their grip despite knowing God calls us to peace. In this heartfelt conversation, hosts John Martin and Valerie Peterson share their personal journeys with anxiety while offering practical biblical solutions for breaking free.

"I've had anxiety in my past, even anxiety where it was crippling me," John confesses, immediately creating a safe space for listeners struggling with similar experiences. This raw honesty sets the tone for an episode that doesn't simply offer platitudes but acknowledges the very real battle many face daily.

The hosts explore the fundamental spiritual dynamics behind anxiety—the tension between trust and control. Drawing from Scripture passages like Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:6-7, they reveal how God's word directly addresses our tendency to worry about tomorrow. Valerie shares a powerful insight: "I'll take life half hour by half hour. Sometimes even a day is hard to do," demonstrating that overcoming anxiety is often a moment-by-moment practice rather than an instant transformation.

What sets this episode apart is its practical approach. Beyond encouraging prayer, the hosts outline specific strategies: developing a daily intimate relationship with God, consciously inviting the Holy Spirit into daily decisions, renewing your mind through Scripture meditation, joining supportive small groups, and seeking professional counseling when needed. Each recommendation comes with personal testimony about its effectiveness, offering listeners not just theory but tested pathways to peace.

The conversation culminates with a profound observation about heaven—that we may one day regret all the time wasted in worry and fear when we see God's perfect plan revealed. This eternal perspective invites listeners to begin releasing anxiety today, trusting that the God who sees "the entire parade" of our lives is working even when we can only see today's circumstances.

Ready to break free from the cycle of fear and anxiety? Listen now and discover how to experience the peace that surpasses understanding, even in our increasingly uncertain world.

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"God takes what they've been through and turns it to good." These powerful words from Eddie Mansfield capture the essence of his extraordinary transformation story shared on Road to Redemption.

Eddie's journey begins in Owensboro, Kentucky, where despite a loving Christian upbringing, he veered into substance abuse at age 15. What followed was a 23-year descent through addiction, wasted opportunities, and escalating legal troubles. By age 38, Eddie found himself in an Atlanta jail cell facing a potential 10-year sentence for methamphetamine possession. It was here, at his lowest point, that something unexpected happened—he reconnected with faith through a fellow inmate who knew the Bible intimately.

While Eddie studied Scripture behind bars, his mother began having recurring dreams that her son would someday lead a faith-based recovery program—visions that seemed impossible given his circumstances. Then came what Eddie can only describe as divine intervention: three days before Christmas 2006, through an unexpected act of mercy from a retiring district attorney, Eddie was released directly to a rehab facility in Destin, Florida. Christmas Eve became his sobriety date, marking the beginning of a radical life transformation.

Today, Eddie serves as director of Path of Grace, a thriving women's recovery ministry with 54 residents and 12 graduates in transition. His personal experience with addiction fuels his compassion and effectiveness in helping others find freedom. With his wife Kayla (herself a recovery success story) by his side, Eddie's life stands as powerful testimony that no one is beyond redemption and that our deepest pain can become our most powerful platform for helping others.

For more info on Path of Grace in Miramar Beach FL goto https://www.pathofgrace.net or reach them at:

Mailing Address \ PO Box 9261, Miramar Beach, FL 32550

email: PathofGrace@gmail.com \ Tel. 850.974.4573

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