The Thriving Family

• 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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• Bonnie and Bryan Pue: Finding Freedom From Sexual Brokenness and Shame

  Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.Today’s episode features Bryan and Bonnie Pue, founders of The Union Movement. As a young man, Bryan was into the party scene, depressed, angry and addicted to pornography. Meanwhile, Bonnie was the homeschooled church teen girl whose naivety was shattered when a trusted church leader confessed his sexual sin to his congregation. As they found restoration and freedom, their passion grew to help others find healing and to empower churches to do the same. They founded The Union Movement to help people find wholeness by presenting a gospel-centred, holistic approach to the topics of identity, sexuality, and relationships. They develop resources, speak at events, and support local churches and leaders who desire to cultivate healthy cultures. Bonnie and Bryan have been married since 2007, and are now mom and dad to six fantastic sons.This conversation with Bryan and Bonnie is facilitated by Len DenBraber, chief operating officer at Focus on the Family Canada.Episode notes:In God’s Image video serieshttps://www.focusonthefamily.ca/IngodsimageFree, 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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• Fear and Anxiety in Children: What's Normal and What's Not

  Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.In today’s episode, we explore the very real topic of fear and anxiety in children. As you well know, every person at every age has moments of fear. Consider how many times Scripture tells us, “Do not be afraid.” For children specifically, each new developmental age brings up common fears as they are learning to discover the world around them and their place in it. But how do we know what’s normal, and what’s not? And when should parents be concerned?Episode notes:Understanding and Navigating Anxiety digital booklethttps://info.focusonthefamily.ca/anxietyHelping Children Manage Anxiety video serieshttps://info.focusonthefamily.ca/helping-children-manage-anxietyRead a related article here: Monsters and mid-terms: Helping your child cope with anxietyhttps://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/monsters-and-mid-terms-helping-your-child-cope-with-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© 2014 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 

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• The Thriving Family Podcast Season 2: Find Healing in Your Life, Faith, and Relationships

  ​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.

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