Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.

We carry around a heart that is aching to be known and felt in a way that warms us from the distances we feel in our relationships. It’s a longing for that deep inner touch. And the closer we are in the relationship, the deeper the pangs of loneliness can be. Today’s episode, “Building Bridges in Intimate Loneliness,” was originally written by Tom Peters. Tom has been nurturing his passion for helping others for over 35 years. He holds a master's in Counselling Psychology. In addition to developing a private practice, Tom also is a practicing counselling supervisor and a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. He and his wife of 30 years are parents to two married daughters, one son, and they recently became grandparents. Just a note that this episode is written by Tom, but voiced by a guest.

Episode notes:

Hope Restored marriage intensives

http://www.hoperestoredcanada.ca/

Navigating Conflict in Marriage digital booklet

https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/navigating-conflict-in-marriage

Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.

Support the podcast: https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving

© 2020 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.

​Welcome back to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. This is the space where family, faith, and culture intersect. In this second season, the theme is healing scars. You’ll hear sound bites on how to navigate relationships and experience restoration from brokenness. And we sat down with ministry leaders as well as followers of Christ who work in a variety of sectors – all who are passionate about the restorative work of our Heavenly Father.

Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast. Today’s bonus episode comes features a very special guest: Katie Leigh, the iconic voice behind Adventures in Odyssey character Connie Kendall! Katie has voiced a wide range of roles, and she's played the role of everybody's favorite teenager, Connie, for over 20 years - a part that strangely mirrors her own life.

Katie attended the One Grand Party, a 2-day interactive event with two live performances last August at Focus on the Family’s headquarters in Colorado Springs when 6,000 fans celebrated episode one thousand of Adventures in Odyssey.

Katie sat down with Kara Pippy, Focus on the Family Canada’s chief marketing officer, and they had a fascinating conversation about Katie’s work as a voice actor, what it’s like to be a believer in the entertainment industry, and what she has learned from her years as the voice of such a beloved resident of Whit’s End.

Episode notes:

Katie Leigh’s website

https://www.katieleigh.com

Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.

Support the podcast: https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving

© 2025 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.

Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.

Yes, there are times where their questions may come at an inconvenient time, but a child’s desire for connection with their parent is a beautiful thing. Sometimes, the most important conversations are a two-way street. How can parents share their own mental and emotional health journeys authentically and appropriately with their children? How can they have honest conversations about their child’s grandparents or extended family in a way that’s honouring? In this final episode of season 1, you will discover how to do just that.

Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.

When there’s stress in a marriage, it impacts all areas of life. While some couples find a way through on their own, many feel stuck. So, what differentiates someone who stays simply to stave off defeat, and someone who desires to overcome the strife they feel and ultimately thrive in their marriage?

Today’s episode, “3 Qualities Necessary for Overcoming Marital Distress,” was written by Tom Peters. Tom has been nurturing his passion for helping others for over 35 years. He holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology. In addition to developing a private practice, Tom also is a practicing counselling supervisor and a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. He and his wife of 30 years are parents to two married daughters, one son, and they recently became grandparents. Just a note that this episode is written by Tom, but voiced by a guest.

A very important disclaimer: This episode is not intended for spouses in an abusive marriage. Spouses in this situation need detailed, expert advice that deals specifically with abuse. If you would like to discuss your situation with one of our professional counsellors, please call 1.800.661.9800 to arrange a free, one-time consultation.

Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.

Today’s episode is short and sweet, just like its subject. We put together a collection of insights from relationship experts about how to deepen love and strengthen communication in your marriage.

A friendly reminder: Reference to the individuals quoted does not constitute a blanket endorsement of either the individuals’ external work or their respective organizations.

Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.

For today’s episode, we have the extreme honour of introducing a powerful testimonial of hope being restored. Gary and Joy had been married for 37 years, but as time went on, they both felt increasingly alone in the relationship. When they became empty nesters, the problems in their marriage they’d been avoiding for years could no longer be ignored. Then they heard about Hope Restored, a marriage intensive program at Focus on the Family Canada. Since 2018, countless couples on the brink of divorce have attended Hope Restored intensives at our Canadian retreat centres. By working with our marriage counsellors in both group and private intensives, couples like Gary and Joy discovered newfound hope for their marriages.

Now, let’s hear from Gary and Joy.

Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.

If you’re a parent of a strong-willed child, this episode is for you. It’s packed with expert insights to help bring out the best in your strong-willed child by discovering their motivations and how to build on their many strengths.