Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles, which may be difficult for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside the U.S., please seek local hotlines or immediate professional help in your country.

What do you do when the one prayer you’ve begged God to answer doesn’t get answered the way you hoped?

In this powerful conversation, Ted and Hazel Semper open up about losing their daughter to suicide and the heartbreak that followed. They share the raw truth of wrestling with faith, questioning God, and learning to keep moving forward when life feels impossible.

Their honesty will encourage anyone who’s faced grief, walked through unanswered prayers, or wondered where God is in the middle of tragedy. This is a story of pain, yes—but also of healing, love, and the hope only God can bring.

Chapters:

[00:00] Podcast Preview

[01:25] Topic and Guest Introduction

[03:40] Introduction to Loss and Grief

[04:45] Marcy’s Struggles with Anxiety and Depression

[07:35] Understanding Mental Health and Suicide

[09:19] Signs of Mental Health Struggles

[13:39] Praying and Still Facing Loss

[17:30] Finding Peace After Tragedy

[25:45] Grieving as a Couple Without Division

[28:34] Why Suicide Needs to be Talked About in the Church

[32:06] Grief Upon Grief: Multiple Layers of Loss

[34:32] Respecting Each Other’s Grieving Process

[37:35] Career Transitions in the Middle of Grief

[42:02] Finding Purpose After Loss

[45:10] Leaving a Legacy of Faith and Resilience

Guests' bio:

Ted Semper—also known in his radio days as Ted Kelly, Hollywood Harrison, and Brother Ted—is a veteran broadcaster with over five decades of experience as a program director and on-air talent. In 1983, he discovered a deep passion for Christian radio and music, a calling that shaped the rest of his career.

In 2002, Ted launched HisAir.net, a pioneering digital trade publication dedicated to serving the Christian radio and records industry. For more than 20 years, HisAir.net has been an invaluable resource, connecting industry leaders, sharing news, and strengthening the Christian radio community.

Alongside him is his wife, Hazel Semper, a dynamic and successful realtor. Together, Ted and Hazel have built a strong marriage of over 23 years. Their life and ministry reflect resilience, faith, and a desire to encourage others through both their professional work and personal story.

Call to action:

Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

You may never strap on hiking boots or climb a 14,000-foot mountain… but you’ve got mountains of your own. In this episode of Your Biggest Breakthrough, we share the raw, real, and sometimes hilarious lessons we learned while summiting our very first “fourteener” — Mount Bierstadt in Colorado.

What does mountain climbing have to do with your health, career, relationships, or faith? Everything. Because life is full of summits, false summits, unexpected detours, and moments when you wonder if you can take one more step.

If you’ve ever faced a challenge that felt too steep, this episode will remind you that you’re stronger than you think, you’re not meant to climb alone, and God has already marked the trail for your breakthrough.

By the end, you’ll see your own mountain differently — and you might just start the climb.

Chapters:

[00:00] Podcast Preview

[01:09] Introduction to Life Lessons from Climbing

[03:17] Vision, Goals, and Intentional Challenges

[05:47] Research, Planning, and Training

[08:30] The Power of Commitment Before the Climb

[10:54] First Steps & Trail Markers (and Getting Lost)

[13:02] The Importance of Support and Community

[14:23] False Summits & Shifting Perspective

[15:30] Navigating Obstacles and Pain

[19:00] Self-Talk and Perseverance

[20:06] The Boulder Scramble to the Top

[22:00] Reaching the Summit & Celebrating Victories

[23:18] The Emotional Descent After a Big Win

[24:46] Lessons from Going Downhill

[26:22] Asking God, “What’s next?”

[27:37] Final Encouragement

Resources mentioned:

Episode 162: Navy SEAL Don Mann on How to Conquer Pain, Build Resilience, and Never Quit

Call to action:

Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a cycle, trying hard to live right, but falling into the same old traps? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Karl Clauson, and trust us—you’ll want to lean in for this one. Karl’s story is raw, honest, and deeply hopeful. From hitting rock bottom in a haze of cocaine and alcohol to experiencing a radical transformation through Christ, his testimony reminds us that true healing starts with true surrender.

But it doesn’t stop at his story. Karl drops truth bombs about how so many of us are living with what he calls the “hallucination of salvation”—busy with spiritual activity but missing authentic transformation. Whether you've been in church your whole life or are just starting to explore your faith, this message will resonate with you.

Together, we unpack what it truly means to “kill sin”—not through willpower, but by walking in humility, staying close to Jesus, and relying on the Holy Spirit. You’ll learn why healing is impossible without addressing sin, how to identify what’s truly holding you back, and practical ways to step into the freedom God has already made available.

If you're craving spiritual breakthrough, tired of the shame cycle, or just ready to be real with God, this conversation will encourage and equip you. Healing begins where honesty and the Holy Spirit meet.

Chapters:

[00:00] Podcast Preview

[01:16] Topic and Guest Introduction

[04:05] Carl's Journey to Breakthrough

[06:40] From Good Church Kid to Cocaine Crash

[09:50] The Hallucination of Salvation

[12:29] The Call to Spiritual Revolution

[16:00] “Killing Sin” – What the Book is Really About

[19:12] The Marriage Crisis That Changed Everything

[21:26] Killing Sin is Only Possible by the Spirit

[27:45] What Self-Control Means

[29:53] Discerning Sin from Bad Habits

[32:04] The Power of Rhema and Speaking the Word

[35:21] Why We’re Afraid to Linger with God

[36:25] Encouragement for the One Who Feels Stuck

[37:55] How to Get Karl’s Book

Resources mentioned:

👉 Get Karl’s book at killsin.com

FREE Unstoppable Ebook and Audiobook

Guest's bio:

Karl Clauson is the host of Karl and Crew Mornings on Moody Radio, heard across the country, and serves as the Pastor of Vision and Leadership at 180 Chicago Church. A passionate communicator and leader, Karl has spent more than four decades inspiring people to pursue spiritual breakthrough and walk in true freedom.

At just 18 years old, Karl completed the legendary 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska—a feat that speaks to his grit, endurance, and determination. But his most transformative journey began shortly after, when he fully surrendered his life to Christ and began running hard after God.

Since then, Karl has led one of Alaska’s largest churches, launched thriving ministries, and impacted countless lives through preaching, mentorship, writing, and broadcasting. He is the author of The 7 Resolutions and his latest book, Killing Sin: Conquer That One Thing That’s Defeating You, where he tackles the tough issues of sin, shame, and spiritual growth with biblical truth and real hope.

Karl and his wife have been married for 37 years and have two adult children. His life and message are proof that no matter how far you've gone, freedom is always possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Call to action:

Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your...