The Boundless Show
Focus on the Family
Recent Episodes
Friendships with the opposite sex, plus what we can learn from the elderly, and the difference between the Holy Spirit and your conscience.
Featured musical artist: Phil Wickham
Roundtable: Platonic Guy-Girl Friendships
Is it possible for men and women to be “just friends”? There’s an ongoing debate on the topic, with some arguing it’s possible while others maintain that it inevitably leads to something awkward (or worse, inappropriate). Our guests break down the pros and cons and give tips for doing friendship with the opposite sex in a God-honoring way.
Culture: Practical Love for the Elderly
Whether it’s your parents, grandparents, neighbor or fellow church member, God’s call to love our elders is clear. But it isn’t always easy. Senior citizens may be slower than us, have different perspectives, and can even be critical or aloof. But if you have the patience and intention to dig deep, there’s potential for rich relationship and even the opportunity to learn. Isabel Tom lived her entire childhood and young adult years with her aging grandparents. She now works with the elderly and shares her thoughts on what you stand to gain by prioritizing time with the seniors around you.
The Value of Wrinkles: A Young Perspective on How Loving the Old Will Change Your Life
Inbox: Conscience or the Holy Spirit?
Venturing into a dangerous situation. Asking someone out. Knowing God’s will on a job offer. We all look for direction in various circumstances, but how do you know whether that prompting is your conscience or the Holy Spirit? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.
Responding to restlessness on the job, plus Dr. Henry Cloud on establishing boundaries, and wisdom with physical touch when dating.
Featured musical artist: Je’kob
Roundtable: Why Am I So Restless at Work?
We all experience restlessness with our jobs or chosen career paths. But how do we discern when restlessness is discontentment or fear versus a sign that we need to move on to something new? Our guests share their own examples of feeling the “career itch” and how they’ve dealt with it effectively.
Culture: Lessons From a Boundaries Expert
Are you a people pleaser? Do you assume you can never say no for fear of disappointing others? Do you resent those who walk all over you, even as you let them do it? Dr. Henry Cloud wrote the defining book on boundaries and joins us with instruction for taking back our lives from our own fear, passivity and boundary busting.
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
Inbox: A Word About Touch
Physical touch may be your love language, but guardrails are still biblical and wise, especially with someone you’re dating. What should you know and do to honor God in this area? Counselor Andrea Vidano weighs in.
The rise of Friendsgiving celebrations, plus the real story behind Thanksgiving, and navigating grief during the holidays.
Featured musical artist: Darlene Zschech
Roundtable: Thanksgiving With Friends
For people who either can’t or won’t celebrate Thanksgiving with family, the trend of “Friendsgiving” is here. We interview three single young adults who’ve hosted and participated in Friendsgiving celebrations. They’ll provide tips for how to invite and include people, divvy up the food, plan activities around the meal, and keep thankfulness at the center.
Culture: What Really Happened at the First Thanksgiving?
Pilgrims, Squanto, turkey, corn, big hats and a New World: We think we know the details of the first Thanksgiving, but what’s fact and what’s fiction? Thankfully, Bill Petro has done all the research so we don’t have to. He’ll share what led up to the historic feast, who participated, what it meant, and why it matters in 2025. We’ll also discuss the commercialization of Thanksgiving and some of the more modern applications and traditions.
They Came for Freedom: The Forgotten, Epic Adventure of the Pilgrims
Inbox: Grief at the Holidays
Whether you’ve experienced a recent loss or not, the holidays are a trigger for grief and other big emotions. Using the example of his father’s recent death, counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in on how to process feelings of intense sadness.
The “singles vacuum” at church, plus pastors discuss the church’s attitude toward single adults, and what to do about difficult bosses and coworkers.
Featured musical artist: Jeremy Rosado
Roundtable: The Singles Gap
Kids, youth, college-age, young marrieds and seniors: Most churches seem to have unique ministries for these demographics. But what about young professional single adults? Our guests discuss the seeming vacuum in churches when it comes to creating space for singles, and what we can do to foster belonging and impact among this too-often “lost” segment of the church.
Culture: Does the Church Value Marrieds More Than Singles?
Does your church seem to place a higher value on marriage than on singleness? Is there any truth to this claim, or is it just the skewed perspective of the unmarried and embittered? Two pastors, one married and one single, discuss both sides of the argument. They suggest how the church can better teach singleness as a unique gift while showing sensitivity and honor to the singles in their pews.
Single-Minded: Finding Purpose & Strength in Your Season of Singleness
Inbox: Dealing With Difficult Coworkers
How do you properly address problems with a boss or coworker? At what point do you confront bad behavior in the workplace? HR expert Marshonda Dixon weighs in.
Men who struggle in dating, plus determining a person’s growth potential, and how do you spot a false teacher?
Featured musical artist: Daniel Bashta
Roundtable: Guys’ Dating Struggles
We all know men who’ve tried to date well (or date at all), but with no success. If that sounds like you and you want to turn things around, take heart. Our guests were in the same boat, experiencing fear, rejection, dead-ends, and even a few broken engagements. Now married, they share advice for growth and self-awareness, plus courage to not give up hope even in the midst of disappointment.
Culture: Can This Person Change?
We all have room to grow, but when dating, how much can we expect a person to change? And in what ways? In light of this, how can we know when our expectations are unrealistic and it’s time to either adjust them or end the relationship? Dr. Bob Paul specializes in helping couples in crisis. He joins us to talk about relational expectations and how to discern whether two people have what it takes to go the distance.
Empowered to Love: Discovering Your God-Given Power to Create a Marriage You Both Love
Inbox: Discerning False Teachers
It’s popular in Christian circles to label someone a false teacher. But what are credible signs that a pastor or influencer is truly anti-biblical and dangerous? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in.