The Boundless Show – Details, episodes & analysis

Separating feelings from fact when it comes to love, plus what to do about stress, and coming to terms when something good didn’t happen.     

I’m Stressed: A Path from Pressure to Peace (Ask the Christian Counselor)

Featured musical artist: Love and the Outcome 

Roundtable: How Do I Know I Love Someone? 

The feelings and excitement of being “in love” are celebrated everywhere from movies to music. But is love deeper than a mere feeling? Are feelings even an indicator that you actually love someone? Our guests get honest about how they’ve struggled with discerning the difference between love as a feeling and love as a choice. They’ll also explain love in the tough times and (yikes) loving the hard to love, including our enemies. 

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Culture: Stress Reduction (Part 1) 

Stressors are all around us: bills to pay, work deadlines, sorting through friend and family dynamics, and news headlines galore. What effect is stress having on our brains and bodies, and how do we cope with the fallout? Licensed professional counselor Eliza Huie discusses how you can tackle stress and find peace through lifestyle, helpful practices, and active dependence on God. In part one of our conversation she addresses good vs. bad types of stress and how to recognize the repercussions of stress on our lives.     

I’m Stressed: A Path from Pressure to Peace (Ask the Christian Counselor)

Visit Eliza’s Website

Inbox: I Had Faith but It Didn’t Happen 

Our listener had faith for something that was genuinely good, but he prayed and things still didn’t go as he’d hoped. How can he trust that God really cares? Counselor George Stahnke weighs in. 

Link to Counseling Services 

Find Tara Sun’s Story in Brio Magazine 

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Ideas for getting out and making friends, plus author Jerry Jenkins on boundaries with the opposite sex, and signs you’re in an abusive relationship.     

Featured musical artist: JJ Heller

Roundtable: Make New Friends

You may be asking, “Where are all the great people to hang out with?” Maybe, just maybe, they’re outside your front door? In order to find them, you may need to get creative. You may need to try something new. Visit new places. Join a new group. This week we discuss ways to step out of your comfort zone and meet quality people. Plus, if you’re single and looking for potential dates, we’ll offer thoughts on how to look without obsessing over whether every cute person could be the one. 

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Culture: Boundaries With the Opposite Sex

Marriage experts talk often about creating boundaries when you’re married to guard against infidelity. But great boundaries with the opposite gender work best when you start early — when you’re dating someone, or even before. Setting up what bestselling novelist and author Jerry Jenkins calls “hedges” can be a great and practical way to do that. In our interview, he shares what hedges might look like in dating and marriage, how to set them, and how to avoid potential excuses and pitfalls when temptation strikes.  

Hedges: 7 Ways to Love Your Wife and Protect Your Marriage

Visit Jerry’s Website

Inbox: Am I in a Toxic Relationship? 

The word toxic is too often tossed around to describe people we simply don’t like. But what are signs that you’re in a truly toxic or abusive relationship? Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in. 

Link to Counseling Services 

Article: Just Annoying or Truly Unsafe?: How to Navigate Get-Togethers With Difficult Family 

Link: Help for Abusive Relationships 

Article: Destructive Conflict: Recognize It. Stop It. 

Link to Show: Setting Boundaries in Toxic Relationships 

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Don’t be fake while dating, plus Kris Swiatocho’s testimony as a single adult, and should a guy ask a girl out even after he’s been friendzoned?      

Featured musical artist: Jeremy Rosado

Roundtable: Dating as the Real You

It’s great to date someone who’s comfortable in their own skin. So why do so many of us try to impress a date by acting like someone else? Whether we fake interest in their hobbies or we exaggerate (lie) about our accomplishments, we think becoming a version of someone they might like is better than being just plain old us. But no one wants to date a poser, so our panel delves into a spirited discussion on the topic and gives encouragement to be real, whatever the cost.  

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Culture: Lessons From a Lifelong Single (Part 1)

Kris Swiatocho had a rough start as a young adult. She admits she wasn’t walking with the Lord, so after a season of partying and poor relationship choices, Kris saw the chance to join a Christian community — and took it. After witnessing what churches do well and not so well in ministering to the unmarried, she started The Singles Network Ministries. Today she speaks to singles around the world about friendship, dating, finding community, and following Jesus — whatever your relationship status. 

Intentional Relationships for Singles: Prepare, Plan, Pursue, Propose

Visit Kris’s Website

Inbox: After She’s Friendzoned You 

A girl at church has already friendzoned him. Should he still try to ask her out, or just let it be? Counselor Patrick Hill weighs in.

Link to Counseling Services 

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Worshiping God seven days a week, plus a firsthand look at helping Ukrainian refugees, and when a man feels insecure about being short.

Featured musical artist: JJ Heller 

Roundtable: Worship as a Lifestyle

Worship is a meaningful and at times deeply emotional experience that connects us to God’s heart. But it’s meant to be much more than just a church service on the weekend. Our guests describe ways they’ve learned to connect with God during the routines of everyday life. Whether it’s through listening to music, prayer, serving, or even working a 9-to-5 job, you’ll see that worship is expressed in many ways.

Culture: Lessons From Helping Refugees

The Russia-Ukraine war has been a devastating reality this year. Many are asking, “What’s the best way to offer help to those in need?” Psychiatrist Dr. Karl Benzio recently got to serve Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw, Poland. He’ll share his inspiring story of how he and his daughter, an art therapist, provided mental health support to the refugees and pastors in that region. He’ll also share ways we can pray for the people affected by this conflict.

American Association of Christian Counselors

Inbox: Short and Lacking Confidence   

He listened to a past segment titled “Height Hang-Up” and is wondering how to express genuine confidence in life and relationships, even though he’s shorter than most guys. And how can he be both confident and humble? Josh Zeichik weighs in.

The difference between encouraging and enabling, plus dating someone with mental health issues, and should she get back together with her ex? 

Featured musical artist: About a Mile 

Roundtable: An Encourager or an Enabler?

We all want to be liked, and what better way to be appreciated by friends than to be an encourager? But what do you do when someone has a bad pattern or habit in their lives? Should you call them out or sweep it under the rug and tell them they’re still a good person? Our panel of guests share about the ways they have benefitted from constructive criticism, and how you can be an encourager, without enabling poor behavior.

Culture: Dating and Mental Health Issues

Even with all of our gadgets and technology, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are on the rise. What do you do when the person you’re dating is struggling? Dr. Karl Benzio is a friend of Boundless, and he’s also an experienced psychiatrist. He’ll address that all of us are a work in progress, and how to know if your dating relationship can survive a mental health struggle.

The American Association of Christian Counselors

Link to Counseling Services

Inbox: Should I Reach Out to an Ex Again?  

She recently ended a six month relationship, but now, she’s recognizing some fears she had about marriage. They also crossed some boundary lines sexually, but they’re both repentant. Now that she recognizes the fears she had and is living repentant of the sexual sin, should she reach out to her ex or not? Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in.

The line from awareness to worry, plus readying your relationship for trials, and should you attend a Christian’s wedding to a non-Christian?

Featured musical artist: John Waller

Roundtable: Informed but Calm 

Life is filled with unknowns. No matter how hard we try to predict the future, we can’t — nor can we adjust our circumstances to avoid pain. As we ponder what’s ahead, it’s one thing to be aware of what’s happening in the world, but it's very draining to always worry about it. But is staying worry-free even possible? Our guests discuss ways they’ve struggled with worry, plus how they’re learning to trust God now while still acknowledging and being concerned by what’s going on around them.

Culture: When Your Relationship Faces a Storm

As an expert on marriage, Gary Thomas loves to see couples fall in love. However, with 38 years of marriage experience, he’s very aware of the types of challenges couples inevitably walk through. Is there a way to prepare mentally, spiritually and emotionally for the tough times? When you’re dating someone, can you know if he or she will stay committed through thick and thin? Gary offers several examples and lots of biblical truth and encouragement to prepare you for marriage’s bumpy road.

Making Your Marriage a Fortress: Strengthening Your Marriage to Withstand Life’s Storms

Inbox: A Christian Marrying a Non-Christian 

Her Christian friend is engaged to a non-Christian, and she’s been invited to their wedding. When her friend was dating this guy, friends spoke up but were ignored. The couple has now moved in together. In light of these concerns, should our listener attend the wedding or not? Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in. 

How to take a mental break, plus practicing EQ and good mental health, and how should Christians address entertainment with LGBT content?

Featured musical artist: Tauren Wells

Roundtable: A Break From Life’s Busyness

When life gets busy and stressful, how do you find time to pause? Even taking a few minutes to pray, reflect, or breathe deeply can go a long way in keeping your soul healthy. Our guests describe ways they’re learning to tune out distractions and regroup during the busier seasons of life, and the difference it makes in their overall well-being.

Culture: Healthy Adulthood on the Inside

Many of us think we’re healthier than we actually are. We often don’t notice our own blind spots, shortcomings or weaknesses, let alone know what to do about them. Josh Burnette and Pete Hardesty are passionate about helping young adults live life well from the inside out. They’ll discuss how to practice healthy self-awareness and build your EQ. Plus, they’ll address strategies for battling depression and finding your identity in Christ. 

Get the Book: Adulting 101 Book 2: An In-Depth Guide to Developing Healthy Habits, Becoming More Confident, and Living Your Purpose for Graduates and Young Adults  

Inbox: Is LGBT Content in Entertainment Off-Limit for Christians?

Our listener affirms the biblical definition of marriage, but with so many TV shows, films and even kids programs featuring pro-LGBT content, is it realistic for Christians to avoid it? After all, most entertainment also includes explicit language, violence and other problematic elements which many Christians consume without issue. Plugged In’s Adam Holz weighs in. 

Marrieds share lessons from their dating years, plus staying out of the comparison trap, and guarding your heart while waiting to get engaged.

Featured musical artist: Zach Williams

Roundtable: If I Had to Date Again

Marriage has a way of giving you a fresh perspective on dating; sometimes hindsight is 20/20. While getting to know someone with romantic potential can be exciting, how do you know if you’re discovering the things that are truly important in marriage? To help you date successfully with the future in mind, our guests share things they did well in dating, things they wish they’d done differently, and lessons they learned from their dating journeys.

Culture: Letting Go of Comparison

For Richella Parham, comparing herself with others began in childhood with a rare and embarrassing birthmark. Comparison seemed innocuous and inevitable until years later when her husband politely pointed out that doing so had become a bad habit. Since then, Rochella’s been on a mission to let go of what others think about her, eliminate negative self-talk from her vocabulary, and embrace who God says she is. If you’ve ever struggled with comparison (and who hasn’t?), you’ll benefit from this discussion.

Richella’s Blog:  Imparting Grace

Mythical Me: Finding Freedom From Constant Comparison  

Inbox: Guarding Your Heart While Waiting to Get Engaged

Our listener and her boyfriend have talked about getting engaged, but it will likely be next year before he pops the question. Amidst the waiting, she’s struggling to find a balance between guarding her heart and preparing it for marriage. Is there a way to balance the two? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in. 

The art of asking good questions, plus more with Brant Hansen on purposeful men, and a listener fears her boyfriend will use porn again.

Featured musical artist: Ecclesia 

Roundtable: Asking Good Questions

One of Lisa Anderson’s favorite ways to get to know people is to play question games — the more meaningful or intriguing the question, the better. She cites recent research on the relational value of putting thought into questions, and asks this week’s guests how comfortable they are answering and asking questions. Then she poses three questions that everyone has to answer. Play along and join in the fun!

Get the Book: The Men We Need: God’s Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up 

Inbox: Will a Past Porn Struggle Resurface?

Her boyfriend previously struggled with pornography, but it was months before they met. She’s concerned that even though he’s doing well now, he may fall back into this sin at some point. Are her fears founded? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in.

Should singles consume romantic content? Plus Brant Hansen on being a man of purpose, and how long should you wait to get engaged?

Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship

Roundtable: Is It Wise to Consume Romantic Content?

Love songs, romantic comedies, sappy novels. Who doesn’t enjoy a good love story – especially if it has a happy ending? While romance can be heart-warming, is there a way to gauge if you’re consuming too much of it, especially as a single adult? Our guests share love stories they enjoy, but with insights on how to have healthy boundaries in consuming romance as entertainment.

Plugged In Website 

Culture: The Men We Need (Part 1)

Brant Hansen is on a mission to remind men of the vital role they play in making a society healthy. An “avid indoorsman” who plays the accordion, Brant assures us that being a man isn’t about beards or blowing things up, but about taking responsibility and doing good in the world. In his book “The Men We Need,” he offers six principles around what it means to be a godly man. This week we’ll discuss the first three: 1) Forsake the fake and relish the real, 2) protect the vulnerable and 3) be ambitious about the right things.

The Men We Need: God’s Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up 

Inbox: How Long Before You Get Engaged?  

She and her boyfriend have been dating for about six months, and they know they want to get married. She wants to get engaged soon, but he feels like they should wait. Is there an ideal timeframe for engagement? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.