WARNING: This episode contains discussions about mental health which may be difficult for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. You are not alone. In the U.S., you can contact 988 or visit ⁠988lifeline.org⁠ for 24/7 confidential support.

In this heartfelt episode of The Modern Framily, we open up about some of the most difficult moments we’ve ever faced—losing parents, walking through mental health struggles, and navigating a cancer diagnosis with a newborn baby.

Through honest stories, tears, and moments of laughter, we talk about what grief really feels like, how it changes us, and how our faith helped carry us through.

You’ll hear:

• What it’s like to lose a parent slowly to illness or mental health
• How to support a friend who’s grieving (even when you don’t know what to say)
• A powerful story of hope: from leukemia diagnosis to cancer-free
• Why grief doesn’t follow a timeline—and why that’s okay
• How God shows up in our darkest moments

If you’re walking through something hard or love someone who is, we hope this episode feels like a warm hug. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to go through it alone.

In this special episode of The Modern Family, JD and Jenna are celebrating one year of living in Austin by sharing the real story behind one of the biggest decisions they've ever made: turning down a dream job to build the kind of community they always longed for.

With their closest friends gathered around the mic (plus a very special 17-day-old guest), they open up about marriage struggles, moving cities, learning to be vulnerable, and the power of choosing people over prestige. Whether you're searching for your people, wrestling with a big decision, or just need a reminder that you’re not meant to do life alone — this one’s for you.

This episode is one of the most raw and redemptive we've ever recorded. From years of hidden eating disorders and substance abuse, to a powerful intervention that changed everything, Van shares the real story behind his transformation and how community and the love of Christ brought him back to life. Whether you're struggling with identity, addiction, body image, or wondering if anyone sees you—this story is a reminder that you're never too far gone.

What We Talk About:

• The unseen struggle behind male eating disorders
• Identity, masculinity, and insecurity
• Substance abuse and the illusion of control
• The power of community and intervention
• Redemption, surrender, and the journey back to faith