The Thriving Family

• Shirley Thiessen: A Mother’s Journey Through Grief

  Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.Today it’s our great pleasure to introduce author and speaker Shirley Thiessen. Most people feel uncertain how to express empathy and love to those who are grieving. Shirley was one of those people. Then abruptly, grief ambushed Shirley’s family. Twelve days after her son’s wedding, Shirley was thrown into the unimaginable task of planning his funeral. The trauma of losing her child threatened to destroy her. Hope and resiliency gradually emerged with the caring support of courageous, compassionate friends. They listened, acknowledged her loss, prayed and patiently remained present.Inspired by these “Hope Heroes,” Shirley wrote the book, The Little Black Funeral Dress: Five Things I Wish I Had Known About Grief to pay it forward. Identifying the need for more grief education particularly in faith communities, Shirley became founder of Corner Bend Grief Ministries in 2019. Her passion is to inspire others to be Hope Heroes so that every grieving soul will experience God’s love and find courage to recycle their pain for his glory.  This conversation with Shirley Thiessen is facilitated by Len DenBraber, chief operating officer at Focus on the Family Canada.Episode notes:The Little Black Funeral Dress by Shirley Thiessenhttps://shop.focusonthefamily.ca/The-Little-Black-Funeral-DressWalking Through Grief PDF booklethttps://info.focusonthefamily.ca/griefFree, 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. 

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• Exposing Lies and Uncovering God’s Truth About Anxiety

  Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.In today’s episode, we are diving into the realm of anxiety. For those who become overwhelmed by their anxious thoughts, it can be difficult to find a way out of that heightened state on our own. Thankfully, God provides us with helpful tools and resources – which we explore in this episode.Episode notes:Understanding Anxiety video serieshttps://info.focusonthefamily.ca/understanding-anxietyUnderstanding and Navigating Anxiety PDF booklethttps://info.focusonthefamily.ca/anxietyFree, 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© 2013 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 

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• Sex Trafficking: What Parents Need to Know

  Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.Today’s episode tackles a very sensitive and difficult subject: sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is on the rise in Canada. This episode will educate you about how traffickers operate and what to be aware of as a parent. Note that this episode mentions sexual assault and is not suitable for children. We recommend parents listen to this episode to discern if it’s right to let their teenagers hear. An important note before we begin: If you are concerned that your child could be the victim of sex trafficking or is being groomed for sex trafficking you must intervene, but you should do so carefully to ensure you don’t put your child’s safety at risk. The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at 1.833.900.1010 and they can advise you on how best to proceed. Most importantly, any disclosure of sexual abuse made by a minor must also be reported to the police or a child welfare agency right away.Episode notes:Lynda Harlos’ book Walk a Mile: A Mother’s Journey into Her Daughter’s Secret Life has not been reviewed for endorsement by Focus on the Family Canada. The occasional use of strong language in Lynda’s book will concern some readers. You can also watch Lynda’s story on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEDT-NpTyW8Focus on the Family Canada series on protecting children from sexual abusehttps://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/protecting-children-from-sexual-abuseFree, 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© 2024 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.

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• Carissa Youssef: Restoring Relationships Through Dignity and Service

  Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.Today, you’re in for an inspiring conversation with Carissa Youssef, a leader with a servant’s heart who is passionate about God’s redemptive work. Born in Chicago, Carissa lived throughout the Midwest until her family settled in Seattle in 1993. After graduating from high school, Carissa moved to British Columbia to attend university where she earned her BA in Communications and later her MBA. Carissa spent nearly 15 years of dedicated work in the fight against extreme poverty, and she now serves as the executive director of One Day’s Wages, where she continues to advocate for the most vulnerable. Carissa and her husband, Bob, live in Abbotsford, BC, with their two daughters.This conversation with Carissa Youssef is facilitated by Kara Pippy, chief marketing officer at Focus on the Family Canada.Episode notes: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. 

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• Words That Bruise: How to Know You’re in an Emotionally Abusive Marriage

  Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.In today’s episode, we are tackling a deeply personal issue – emotional abuse in marriage. Words don’t leave physical marks, but they bruise the spirit. This episode is full of practical advice and insights from marriage experts to help work through this daunting topic. While we recognize that men are also victims of emotional abuse, we hear from women more often which is why that dynamic is described this episode. That being said, these principles apply whether it's the wife or husband who is the victim of emotional abuse.Please note that reference to the individuals and organizations quoted does not constitute a blanket endorsement of either the individuals’ external work or their respective organizations.Episode notes:Read a related article here: “Words that bruise: Are you emotionally abusive?”https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/words-that-bruise-are-you-emotionally-abusiveThe Emotionally Destructive Relationship by Leslie Vernickhttps://shop.focusonthefamily.ca/The-Emotionally-Destructive-RelationshipUnderstanding Abuse digital booklethttps://info.focusonthefamily.ca/understanding-abuseUnpacking Biblical Separation and Divorce video serieshttps://info.focusonthefamily.ca/unpacking-biblical-separation-and-divorceUnderstanding Abuse in Marriage video serieshttps://info.focusonthefamily.ca/understanding-abuse-in-marriageFree, 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.© 2013 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 

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