New Life Live With Steve Arterburn

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jim discusses the principle of leading with love, especially with parents whose children have strayed from their faith. My son is married to a woman he met in foster care, and the relationship is very toxic. What are some ways to help him? I’ve been married for 40 years to a man who has narcissistic personality disorder and is a sex addict. If I go to Restore, how do I tell my husband that I will be away for three days?

Caller Questions & Discussion: JJ discusses why we must do self-examination and pay attention to what’s happening inside of our hearts to discover our leaks, emotional pain, and points of vulnerability. I can’t confront someone in person but can put it down in writing; how do I approach it effectively? I’m in my mid-70s and dream a lot about my husband who abandoned our marriage 30 years ago; why is this still happening and how can I find healing? Last week I overheard my mom saying mean things about me and my children behind my back; is it okay for me to move on? How do I deal with my 24-year-old daughter who struggles with addiction and refuses to get help?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Sheri shares insights from reaching out to thousands of women about the impact of pornography in their lives and how their churches responded when they sought help. I called you last week, and you helped me find a counselor. Without your guidance, I wouldn’t have been able to take that step! My 19-year-old daughter is in art school and started taking testosterone; how do I approach this as a parent? What is a clinical therapist? I’m seeing a counselor, but I’m looking for the “magic bullet” to fix my marriage. My husband has Asperger’s, is obsessed with the End Times, and even hands out cards; how can I navigate this?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jacqui discusses depression and changes to look for; ask the person how they’re doing and even if they have had thoughts of suicide. My wife says she doesn’t trust me anymore after she discovered I was messaging an 18-year-old woman; my wife and I haven’t kissed for years. Is it biblical for leaders in the church to call themselves apostles? I’m church shopping; is this a red flag? I’ve gone no contact with my parents, and my dad is in the hospital. Do I just go see him? My 27-year-old son lives with me and is having a hard time on his job as a substitute teacher; should I give him my opinion or let him figure it out? He has mental health struggles.

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill discusses the Olympics and how her stepfather nearly made the track team. In our lives and relationships, we shouldn’t settle; we should keep working on them. My grandson in the first grade is really struggling and plays a lot of video games; do I say anything? I was diagnosed with PTSD and tried going to the VA, but secular isn’t helping me. Are there any spiritual resources? I just turned 63 and have been battling compulsive behaviors like turning to porn, massage parlors, and masturbation to self-soothe. My dad gave me the green light on these behaviors as a kid.

Caller Questions & Discussion: Marc discusses how emotionally secure people face past experiences and commit to growth. My people-pleasing son has been married for over 20 years to a wife who dominates, he puts everyone else first, and texted us about being stressed. Do I text him back? It’s very painful for me to be estranged from my children, and talking to my sister has triggered me. My husband and I haven’t had sex in 15 years and I’m resentful; how do I deal with it? I want to stay connected to my sister more than she does; will I be emotionally okay to be detached after cutting her off?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jacqui shares how understanding your past brings clarity to your present. Any thoughts on how to combat deep trauma so I can be a healthy grandparent? I am challenged with a lot of past trauma, but worldly therapists do not seem to help. Is self-therapy okay? For example, some people are influencers who use social media to vent their emotions in videos. As an associate pastor, how do I handle feelings of disappointment and the sense of apathy within the church community? I was in an emotionally abusive marriage and have been divorced for ten years. My two teen kids don’t want to date or get married; how can I change their perspective?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Alice asks two thought-provoking questions: Have you built the kind of life that you don’t want to escape from? If not, what is keeping you from building that life? I struggle with masturbating every day and feel embarrassed about it; do you have any advice? I’m dating a man who says he was addicted to porn a year ago and has stopped; can someone fully recover from porn addiction without counseling or accountability? My daughter stayed with us and shared that her husband drinks until he passes out every time he comes home; how do I approach my son-in-law when he loves our daughter and their newborn? I’m almost 69, single, and want to share what I’ve learned that has helped me embrace singleness and replace self-pleasuring.

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Alice discusses how excessive screen time and doomscrolling can lead to “brain rot,” and how parents can set a healthy example for their kids. I’m pregnant. Do I invite my mother-in-law to my baby shower even though she didn’t attend our wedding? I went to a rehab center that felt like a horror show and experienced serious health struggles. How do I regain my hope, as it says in Jeremiah 29:11? I’m not able to attend your Intimacy in Marriage Weekend; how else can we get help? There’s a lot of emotional and physical disconnection in our marriage of more than 20 years.

Caller Questions & Discussion: Becky discusses one of life’s most dangerous challenges: justifiable resentment. She explains the key signs that may indicate you are struggling with it. When should my husband and I step in if our daughter-in-law struggles with severe anxiety and a germ phobia? I feel deep resentment toward my husband of 30 years. He is a retired cop, very controlling, and has little emotional intelligence. My husband had an affair. How do I know if God wants me to be released from this marriage or stay in it? My mom grew up in foster homes and never met my emotional needs. How can I move past my resentment and grieve what my mom can’t be?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill discusses a simple exercise: list your fears, reflect on how they affect you, and determine if there’s an action you can take. The stronger my relationship with God gets, the more I feel attacked by anxiety, depression, and fear. As a believer, how can I combat this? My friend’s husband continues to be unfaithful, but she wants to wait until her 6-year-old graduates high school before leaving him. How can I help her?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Laura Mangin-McDonald shares how God designed us for connection and outlines three key steps we must take to heal in community. What should I do in my marriage if my husband of five years is hard to get along with? He is a veteran, complains constantly, and is very sarcastic. I called the police when my 12-year-old son with ADHD hit me in the face, and now he is sending alarming text messages about sex—what should I do? Laura previews the upcoming Betrayal Webinar and the many types of betrayal that will be addressed for the men and women who attend.

Caller Questions & Discussion: Becky Brown discusses the launch of New Life’s 9941 program, inspired by Luke 15, offering a new way to bring hope to the lost. How do I determine if—or when—to introduce my seven children (ages 13 to 6 months) to my estranged mom? My 42-year-old sister struggles with alcohol, is in a homeless shelter, and now has a brain tumor. Do I tell my mom she has a brain tumor?

Caller Questions & Discussion: JJ discusses the story in Exodus 18 where Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, advises Moses to delegate his responsibilities instead of handling everything alone. My 11-year-old daughter is terrified of vomiting. Should I seek professional help? Sometimes she refuses to eat because she feels nauseous. During the Superbowl, what advice do you have for people who have a tendency to overindulge with food, alcohol, or betting? How much help should I provide my 34-year-old son, who has struggled with bipolar disorder and psychosis? I’m considering renting an apartment for him. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but I think it caused my diabetes. Can I stop taking my medication?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Marc shares the phases of a romantic relationship and the tipping point where the relationship deepens or fades. My husband is a former opioid addict and currently uses pornography, but I don’t want to divorce. What should I do? I want to share about the New Life Recovery Group we’re starting at our church and the benefits of being part of a recovery group. What should I do if my pastor is telling me I have to stay in my marriage even though we’re unhappy and don’t like each other?

Caller Questions & More: Dr. Sheri discusses betrayal blindness and how pornography can be like a gateway drug that can lead to even worse things. Do I get out of my marriage? My husband and I have lived like roommates for the last 20 years, even after we’ve seen three counselors. I want to be a life-giver, but I’m blind and live in a nursing home. How can I help people here? How can I stop being affected by profanity? I struggle when I hear curse words because I feel cursing is sinful.

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill shares that, like the Titanic, which received multiple warnings to turn back, we can miss the warning signs people in our lives send. How can we help our 14-year-old granddaughter who has an autoimmune disease? She struggles with suicidal thoughts and is already seeing a counselor. My 12-year-old granddaughter disclosed that she was sexually abused by her brother and is engaging in self-harm. What steps should we take? How do I connect with my 18-year-old son who does well at school but isolates himself at home and emotionally shuts me out? I saw handwriting on the ceiling of my hotel room that said, “I love you,” but when I looked again, it was gone. Could that have been God?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Alice discusses how to overcome unhealthy habits, attitudes or behaviors; confession is the key. Is my friend doing the right thing by divorcing her husband of nearly 14 years? He has been in a long-term relationship with another woman and doesn’t contribute to the household finances. After enduring several narcissistic, abusive relationships, I’m now enjoying being alone since my children are grown. Is this normal, or is it just a season of life? What can we do for our 6-year-old grandson who has lost family members? He talks about death several times a day and has even said he wants to die. 1

Caller Questions & Discussion: Chris discusses how our attempts to control situations can come across as judgmental, and he reminds us that Romans 2:1 serves as a warning. What does healing from spiritual and sexual abuse look like? I struggled with same-sex attraction and confided in a man I dated, who ultimately abused me. I was sexually abused by my father, and it’s like my mom blamed me. How can I navigate this difficult relationship with her? How can I help my 46-year-old daughter who feels hopeless and struggles with suicidal thoughts? My granddaughter isn’t inviting certain family members to her wedding, which is hurting my cousin’s feelings. How can I address this family conflict?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Becky discusses how our culture has become obsessed with certainty, but we must ensure that the need for certainty doesn’t replace our dependence on God. My husband and I have been separated for six years due to his abuse, and he is now seeing someone else. What should I do? My firstborn daughter died from fentanyl five years ago, and I’m still in complete shock. How can I cope? My mom says she won’t attend my daughter’s Quinceañera if we play secular dance music. What’s the best way to handle this? What should I do if my 35-year-old daughter struggles with serious mental health challenges and even threw a plate at me? How can I motivate my aging father? He doesn’t shower, drinks alcohol, and rarely changes his clothes after my mother died 3 years ago.