Episode Resources

• Covenant Eyes: https://www.covenanteyes.com/
• The Lighthouse: https://www.lhfw.org/
• Proven Men Ministries: https://www.provenmen.org/
• Faithful & True: https://www.faithfulandtrue.com/

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In this episode of The Pro-Life Perspective, host Abigail Lorenzen sits down with Pastor Brandon Bower, a local pastor and licensed addictions counselor specializing in biblical recovery, to tackle two critical issues that often remain unspoken within the church: pornography and substance addiction.

Drawing from his own transforming journey through personal brokenness and recovery, Pastor Bower shares his history with vulnerability and humility, showing how God repurposes past struggles to build an impactful recovery ministry. Abigail and Pastor Bower look closely at how modern technology has accelerated access to explicit material while simultaneously exploring the deep, hidden intersections between pornography, substance abuse, and other life-altering chemical dependencies. They dive deep into the cultural trends of the modern era, revealing why traditional addiction treatments often fail if they overlook underlying sexual brokenness and discussing the undeniable connection between broken relationships, addiction, and abortion decisions.

Pastor Bower challenges the "don't ask, don't tell" culture surrounding these topics within Christian ministries and offers practical advice on how churches and individuals can step up. He offers deep insights into:

• The roots of addiction and why standard behavior modification isn't enough for long-term healing.
• How modern technology has accelerated access to explicit material and amplified dependencies.
• The hidden intersections between pornography use, substance abuse, and other chemical addictions.
• Why traditional addiction recovery programs frequently fail if they ignore underlying sexual brokenness.
• The direct connection between broken relationships, active addictions, and abortion decisions.
• Differentiating between purely abstaining from a behavior and doing the deep work required to deal directly with the heart and replace dependencies with a love for Christ.

Join us for this eye-opening and compassionate conversation about fighting the lies of shame, understanding the biblical roots of recovery, and helping individuals step out of the darkness of isolation and into true wholeness.

Learn more about our organization here: www.ichooselife.org

-- Episode Resources --

• Focus on the Family: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/
• The Ring Makes All the Difference by Glenn Stanton: https://a.co/d/0h6h8YGg

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In this episode of The Pro-Life Perspective, host Abigail Lorenzen sits down with Glenn Stanton, the director of global family formation studies and a family sociologist at Focus on the Family, to explore the critical relationship between the pro-life movement, the institution of marriage, and the cultural trends surrounding family structure.

Drawing from decades of data and insights from his book The Ring Makes All the Difference, Glenn shares how his own journey in advocacy began in the pro-life movement before he recognized that the issue of abortion is fundamentally intertwined with family and relationship health. Abigail and Glenn dive deep into the social science surrounding the rapid rise of cohabitation, exposing the myths of the "test-drive" relationship and explaining why marital commitment remains the ultimate protection for men, women, and children. Glenn offers deep insights into:

• The stark rise of cohabitation among young adults and why social science demonstrates it functions poorly as a testing ground for long-term marital success.
• The psychological distinction between "sliding" into a relationship out of convenience versus making an intentional, structural decision to commit.
• How gender differences manifest in cohabiting arrangements, where women frequently view the layout as a track to marriage while men often view it as a casual convenience.
• The socioeconomic reality of marriage as a wealth-builder, detailing how married couples accumulate significantly more material and emotional security than cohabiting partners.
• The communal nature of weddings, evaluating why custom vows and destination weddings isolate couples from the accountability of their local community.
• Practical advice for past cohabitors on how to reset their relationship dynamics and navigate the complex emotional residuals dragged into their new marriage.
• How the church and local community can step up to provide material support—like offering a couch to sleep on—to help couples transition out of cohabitation before their wedding day.

Join us for this compelling, data-driven, and culturally urgent conversation about moving past relationship ambiguity, honoring the natural design of human sexuality, and restoring the sanctity of the family unit.

Learn more about our organization here: www.ichooselife.org

Episode Resources

• Stop Suicide Northeast Indiana: https://www.stopsuicidenow.org/
• FW22 Veteran Support: https://www.fw22.org/
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741

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In this episode of The Pro-Life Perspective, Abigail Lorenzen sits down with Tracey Barr, the director of outreach at Shepherds House, a specialized local ministry based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, dedicated to housing and rebuilding the lives of military veterans dealing with addictions, homelessness, and mental health challenges.

Abigail and Tracey engage in a raw, highly emotional conversation exploring the hidden psychological and personal toll borne by servicemen and women. They address the cultural gap between the civilian population and returning veterans, challenging the widespread apathy and lack of awareness regarding the extreme psychological fallout of combat and military service. Tracey provides firsthand insight into the multi-faceted trauma experienced by veterans, emphasizing that true gratitude for national freedom requires active, structured support for those who secured it.

She offers deep insights into:

• The profound psychological adjustment and personal dislocation military personnel experience when transitioning back into a civilian society that is largely oblivious to their sacrifices.
• The underlying connection between defense of the vulnerable in the pro-life movement and honoring the dignity of those who put their lives on the line for the nation's liberties.
• The importance of cultivating institutional and generational respect within families, such as teaching children proper flag-folding techniques, standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, and honoring the national anthem.
• The healing power of community recognition and safe spaces where veterans can process grief, moral injuries, and post-traumatic stress without facing isolation or judgment.

Join us for this deeply moving and convicting conversation about moving past superficial gratitude, confronting the real human cost of freedom, and learning how a community can wrap its arms around returning heroes.

Learn more about our organization here: www.ichooselife.org