Still Faithful — Looking Back Without Shame {Eps 117}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
Release Date: 01/02/2026
Still Faithful — Looking Back Without Shame {Eps 117}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
As we begin a new year, many parents are carrying more than they expected — unresolved relationships, unanswered prayers, and the quiet weight of loving a child through pain, distance, or deep disagreement. In this first episode of the Still Faithful series, we slow down together and begin with something essential: releasing shame. This episode is for parents who are questioning themselves, their faith, or what faithfulness looks like after a hard year. It’s a grounding invitation to look back honestly — without self-blame — and to begin moving forward with steadiness, clarity, and...
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Before We Step Into A New Year {Eps 116}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
As this year comes to a close, I want to take a moment with you — not to fix anything, not to sum it all up, but simply to pause. Reflect on these questions: What did this year ask of you that you didn’t expect? What did you continue to do this year, even when it hurt? As this year closes, there may be things you’re still carrying that were never meant to come with you into the next one. For just a moment, imagine setting those things down — not forever, but for now. They do not need to define the threshold you’re crossing. When we return in the new year,...
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When the Holidays Feel Tender: Connecting With A Child Who's Chosen A Different Path {Eps. 115}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
The holidays can feel especially heavy when your child is walking a path that doesn’t reflect the way you raised them — spiritually, morally, or emotionally. If you’ve ever felt that quiet ache, this episode is meant to bring comfort, clarity, and hope. In today’s conversation, we explore gentle, grace-filled ways to reconnect with your child during the holiday season without pressure, panic, or preaching. You’ll hear why your presence matters more than “getting the words right,” how to ask open, life-giving questions, and why small moments of warmth can rebuild trust over time....
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Hope For Hurting Families This Thanksgiving {Eps 114}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
Thanksgiving can be a beautiful day — but for many Christian parents of LGBTQ-identified children, it can also be complicated, emotional, or even painful. In this short, heartfelt Thanksgiving episode, Melinda offers encouragement, grounding truth, and three practical ways to prepare your heart before you prepare your home. If you’re carrying tension, uncertainty, or grief into the holiday, this episode will help you slow down, breathe, and remember that God meets you right where you are. Three Practical Tips for Parents This Thanksgiving These simple but powerful steps can help bring...
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How to Pray For and Build Connection With Your LGBTQ-Identified Child - Part Two with Ken Williams {Eps 113)
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
Connect with Ken Williams:
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Four Ways To Show Up Well For Your LGBTQ-Identified Child wth Love and Truth with Ken Williams {Eps 112}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
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Two Sides, One Family: Building A Bridge With Your LGBTQ-Identified Child with Sarah Sedgwick {Eps 111}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
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How to Talk to Your Kids About LGBTQ Issues When an Older Sibling Identifies as LGBTQ - Elizabeth Urbanowicz {Eps 110}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
How do you talk to your younger kids about LGBTQ topics when an older sibling identifies as LGBTQ? That’s one of the most common—and difficult—questions parents and grandparents ask. Today on The Bridge Between Us Podcast, Melinda Patrick is joined by Elizabeth Urbanowicz, author, teacher, and host of the Foundational Worldview podcast, to discuss how to approach these conversations biblically, truthfully, and compassionately. Together, Melinda and Elizabeth tackle three key questions: 1️⃣ How can we protect (and prepare) our younger children when an older sibling embraces an LGBTQ...
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A Parent and Child’s Journey Toward Freedom and Redemption - Part Two {Eps 109}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
Laura Smalts and Melinda Patrick are continuing their conversation today on The Bridge Between Us Podcast. In this episode, Laura shares how the Lord met her on her healing journey and the steps she took that led to her freedom and new found joy. Listen in and discover: *the one thing Laura did that has given her unspeakable joy *how a parent's healing journey is similar to that of their LGBTQ-identified child's *way God redeems and goes over and above BONUS EPISODE: Connect: Connect with Laura Smalts: Connect with Melinda Patrick:...
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The Power of a Praying Mom: Laura’s Story From Transgendered to Transformed - Part One {Eps 108}
The Bridge Between Us: A Guide For Christian Parents Navigating the LGBTQ Conversation
In this heartfelt episode, Laura Smalts opens up about her journey of transitioning to male and later detransitioning back to the woman God created her to be. Listen in and hear: *What Laura's parents did that left a lasting impact *the powerful transformation she witnessed in her mom *the question that left me speechless and soul-searching You’ll also hear two of the most important prayers we can pray as parents walking through difficult seasons with our children. It’s a story of truth, grace, and the redeeming love of Christ. Connect with Laura Smalts: Books...
info_outlineAs we begin a new year, many parents are carrying more than they expected — unresolved relationships, unanswered prayers, and the quiet weight of loving a child through pain, distance, or deep disagreement.
In this first episode of the Still Faithful series, we slow down together and begin with something essential: releasing shame.
This episode is for parents who are questioning themselves, their faith, or what faithfulness looks like after a hard year. It’s a grounding invitation to look back honestly — without self-blame — and to begin moving forward with steadiness, clarity, and grace.
This is not about fixing your child or forcing outcomes.
It’s about strengthening you.
In this episode, we talk about:
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The difference between faithfulness and outcomes
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How to look back at the past year without self-condemnation
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What you may be carrying that was never meant to be yours
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Why faithfulness can coexist with heartbreak
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How to begin a new year grounded rather than striving
Reflection questions to sit with:
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Where have I been harder on myself than God has been?
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What did faithfulness look like for me this past year — even if it felt quiet or unseen?
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What responsibility or guilt do I need to release as I move forward?
A gentle reminder:
You can be deeply faithful and deeply heartbroken at the same time.
Faithfulness does not require resolution — only presence.
As we move through this series, we’ll continue to explore how to stay spiritually anchored, emotionally steady, and rooted in love — even when the story isn’t finished.
About the Series: Still Faithful
Still Faithful is a season created for Christian parents navigating painful, unresolved parenting journeys — including estrangement, distance, and moments when a child’s choices challenge deeply held beliefs.
This series is designed to help you:
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Stay grounded when parenting hurts
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Discern next faithful steps without pressure
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Love well without losing yourself
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Trust God even when outcomes are uncertain