Faith in Healthcare

Dr. Matthew Loftus joins Dr. Mike Chupp to explore the growing influence of therapy language and what happens when it shapes how the church understands and responds to hardship. A family physician practicing in rural Kenya, Dr. Loftus shares the patterns he’s observing and discusses his new book, Resisting Therapy Culture: The Dangers of Pop Psychology and How the Church Can Respond. He also speaks candidly about his own experience with depression, bringing a personal perspective to the conversation about mental health and faith.   Chapters (00:00:08) - Introduction to Dr. Matthew Loftus and the episode(00:01:22) - Background: Loftus's journey to Kenya and family medicine(00:03:51) - Mental health clinics at Latane and Chigoriya hospitals(00:06:30) - Defining therapy culture and medicalization(00:09:34) - Loftus's personal experience with depression(00:11:11) - Risks of churches adopting therapy culture uncritically(00:13:52) - Church vs. mental health professionals: roles and responsibilities(00:18:30) - The church's mission is not to 'fix' people(00:21:32) - Sponsor announcements and CMDA promotions(00:23:33) - Spiritual care in clinical practice in Kenya(00:25:35) - Guidance for pastors on when to refer to professionals(00:28:09) - Therapy culture's crusade against suffering(00:29:30) - Diagnosis inflation and misuse of mental health language(00:32:22) - Loftus's writing career and major articles(00:34:49) - The 'good enough church' concept(00:39:04) - Maggie's role and supporting Matthew through dark seasons(00:42:31) - Closing thoughts and book recommendation(00:43:29) - Host reflection, next episode preview, and sign-offEvery episode is free. Keeping it that way isn't. Producing each conversation — the guests, the editing, the hours — takes real resources. Your gift keeps the mic on and the episodes coming, at no cost to those who enjoy them. Would you consider paying it forward? → Give to Faith in Healthcare: https://cmda.org/givepodcast Every tax deductible dollar goes directly into the production of this podcast resource.

What happens when we evaluate marriage, IVF, surrogacy, and reproductive technology from the perspective of the child instead of the adult? Katy Faust, founder and president of Them Before Us, joins Faith in Health Care to explain the philosophy behind her work and the Greater Than campaign, a coalition seeking to challenge Obergefell v. Hodges and restore what Faust describes as a child-centered understanding of marriage and family. Katy discusses some of today’s most difficult questions surrounding IVF, embryo freezing, sperm and egg donation, surrogacy, same-sex parenting, divorce, infertility, and emerging reproductive technologies. She explains why she believes Christians should scrutinize these practices through the lens of children’s rights, human dignity, and biblical teaching. The conversation also explores how Christians can hold firm convictions while maintaining genuine relationships with people who disagree. Katy shares her own family experience, her approach to truth and compassion, and why she believes Christians must distinguish between loving individuals and evaluating ideas or public policy. This is a challenging conversation about children, family, reproductive technology, Christian ethics, and the rapidly changing meaning of parenthood. Chapters (00:00:08) - Introduction and Episode Preview(00:01:56) - Welcoming Katie Faust Back to the Show(00:05:07) - The Greater Than Campaign Explained(00:07:51) - Church's Response to IVF and Reproductive Technology(00:11:49) - Coalition Support and Judicial Pathway for Overturning Obergefell(00:13:01) - Facing Backlash and Accusations of Hate(00:15:48) - Responding to Southern Poverty Law Center and GLAAD(00:20:07) - Being a 'Hot Potato' - Truth Over Comfort(00:24:30) - Loving LGBTQ Neighbors While Holding Principles(00:31:13) - Acceptance vs Affirmation - Personal Family Story(00:33:21) - Truth-Telling and Theology of Losing Friends(00:34:55) - IVF, Surrogacy, and the Ethics of Reproductive Technology(00:42:28) - The Children's Rights Scorecard by State(00:45:45) - Biblical Foundations - Genesis, Marriage, and Justice for Children(00:50:15) - Action Steps for Christians in Healthcare(00:53:12) - Closing Thoughts and ResourcesEvery episode is free. Keeping it that way isn't. Producing each conversation — the guests, the editing, the hours — takes real resources. Your gift keeps the mic on and the episodes coming, at no cost to those who enjoy them. Would you consider paying it forward? → Give to Faith in Healthcare: https://cmda.org/givepodcast Every tax deductible dollar goes directly into the production of this podcast resource.

Physician assistant Valerie Kloosterman joins Dr. Mike Chupp and Dr. Brick Lantz to share how holding to her Christian convictions cost her the job and professional community she had spent 17 years building. Despite exemplary performance reviews and no prior discipline, Valerie faced a choice between preserving her career and remaining true to her beliefs. Her testimony brings the personal cost of that decision into focus and invites Christian healthcare professionals to consider what faithfulness looks like when their convictions are put to the test. Chapters (00:00:08) - Introduction to Valerie's Story(00:03:26) - Valerie's Faith Journey and Path to Becoming a PA(00:05:45) - The Beginning of the Conflict at University of Michigan Health West(00:08:29) - On Pronouns and Speaking Truth in Love(00:10:54) - On Referrals for Gender Transition and Conscience(00:12:59) - HR Confrontation and Termination(00:15:23) - Faith, Family, and Prayer Through the Firing(00:18:26) - Sponsor Break: CMDA Resources(00:20:00) - Finding New Employment and Moving Forward(00:21:38) - Scripture and Community Support Through the Trial(00:25:02) - The Settlement and New Religious Accommodation Policy(00:28:51) - Would She Change Anything? Reflections on Faithfulness(00:30:37) - Impact Across the University System and Closing Thoughts(00:33:56) - Host Reflections and Closing ResourcesEvery episode is free. Keeping it that way isn't. Producing each conversation — the guests, the editing, the hours — takes real resources. Your gift keeps the mic on and the episodes coming, at no cost to those who enjoy them. Would you consider paying it forward? → Give to Faith in Healthcare: https://cmda.org/givepodcast Every tax deductible dollar goes directly into the production of this podcast resource.

What happens when God calls you to serve—even when your medical career, family, and schedule already feel completely full? Dr. Shay Moore and Dr. Tony Kim weren’t looking for another responsibility. But when longtime Christian healthcare leaders Arnie and Lois Unfelt prepared to step away after 40 years of faithful ministry in Colorado Springs, God began bringing the right people together at exactly the right time. In this episode of Faith & Health Care, Shay and Tony share how prayer, Christian community, mentorship, and a willingness to say “yes” helped create a new chapter of ministry among healthcare professionals in Colorado Springs. They discuss: • Why Christian healthcare professionals need a community where they don’t have to explain their faith or the pressures of medicine • How one generation can successfully pass the ministry baton to the next • Why you don’t have to feel ready before answering God’s call • The importance of mentoring and discipleship in healthcare • How Christian doctors can use their God-given skills to serve their communities • What they learned from the national Christian healthcare convention • How Tony began praying with patients during emergency-room shifts • Why Christian healthcare professionals need encouragement to stand for truth • The powerful community experienced at Medical Week at Spring Canyon Tony shares a remarkable story of how a simple biblical reference during an emergency-room procedure opened a door for a patient and other healthcare workers to share their faith. And Shay describes the incredible impact of Medical Week at Spring Canyon and the Christian community that helped sustain her through military service, medicine, marriage, and family. The question for all of us is simple: What might God already be preparing you to say YES to? Chapters (00:00:08) - Introduction to Faith in Healthcare(00:01:50) - Meet Dr. Shea Moore and Dr. Tony Kim(00:04:11) - How Tony Got Involved with CMDA(00:05:25) - Shea's Journey and Spring Canyon Origins(00:06:59) - Synergy Between OCF and CMDA(00:08:53) - What Draws Members to Community(00:10:24) - Building Small Groups and Meeting Needs(00:12:12) - Passing the Baton from the Anfeldts(00:15:23) - God's Timing in the Leadership Transition(00:18:05) - Interacting with Students and Trainees(00:20:26) - Sponsor Announcements(00:22:00) - Discipleship and the Nature of Christian Community(00:23:34) - Spring Canyon Medical Week Reflections(00:25:38) - Connecting Faith and Healthcare Through Service(00:30:35) - Highlights from the National Convention(00:31:58) - Praying with Patients and Living Out Faith at Work(00:34:50) - Worship, Community, and Research on Conscience Issues(00:36:36) - Closing Thoughts and Colorado Springs Legacy(00:38:43) - Episode Wrap-Up and Next Week's Preview(00:40:46) - Podcast Credits and DisclaimerEvery episode is free. Keeping it that way isn't. Producing each conversation — the guests, the editing, the hours — takes real resources. Your gift keeps the mic on and the episodes coming, at no cost to those who enjoy them. Would you consider paying it forward? → Give to Faith in Healthcare: https://cmda.org/givepodcast Every tax deductible dollar goes directly into the production of this podcast resource.

Dr. Julie Rosá and Dr. Andy Behnke join Dr. Mike Chupp to explore how medical education can become a powerful form of mission. Drawing on Dr. Behnke’s years of teaching and ministry in Moldova, including diabetes education and efforts to expand access to continuous glucose monitoring, they discuss how sharing specialized knowledge can equip international colleagues and allow God to use skills that may not seem suited to a traditional medical missions trip. Chapters (00:00:08) - Faith in Healthcare: Medical Missions Podcast(00:01:57) - Faith and Healthcare(00:02:56) - Moldova: Bringing Endocrinology to Life(00:04:33) - What Keeps You Motivated?(00:06:28) - Christian doctors provide diabetes care in Moldova(00:08:46) - Fulbright Scholar's work in Moldova(00:09:57) - Julie and Andy talk about the Fulbright(00:13:41) - Thanksgiving for Life: The Partners(00:15:35) - Learning the language ahead of a trip(00:17:30) - Moldova Medical Students(00:20:42) - International Pharmacist in Moldova(00:23:30) - God opens the doors in the Moldova(00:25:21) - Dr. Behnke: Old Order Catholics and their faith(00:29:21) - What is the Charge for Medical Missions?(00:34:29) - Moldova(00:37:42) - Christian Medical Association Matters: An Mei TripEvery episode is free. Keeping it that way isn't. Producing each conversation — the guests, the editing, the hours — takes real resources. Your gift keeps the mic on and the episodes coming, at no cost to those who enjoy them. Would you consider paying it forward? → Give to Faith in Healthcare: https://cmda.org/givepodcast Every tax deductible dollar goes directly into the production of this podcast resource.