Livin' The Bream Podcast

Let the countdown to Christmas begin! This week, Shannon and Author, TV host and producer Megan Alexander are diving into the Christmas zone. Megan invites listeners to read her new book, The True Gifts of Christmas: Unwrapping the Meaning Behind Our Most Cherished Traditions, which uncovers the fascinating treasures behind a few faith-based traditions of the holiday season. Megan shares the real meaning behind some popular Christmas traditions, including Santa, and shows how many of them connect to stories from the Bible. Later, she highlights her new movie, The Best Thing About Christmas, out December 19th on UPTV.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Actress Candace Cameron Bure discusses her newest project, a devotional book titled "Rise and Renew." She explains why this project is extra special to her and how she hopes readers will find hope, strength, and joy in God's word through the devotional. Candace also highlights how she stays grounded in the values she considers crucial, remains vulnerable with her audience, and how she navigates married life after nearly 30 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's episode is particularly divine! Owner of Puccia Sauce Chef Giancarla Bodoni joins Shannon to discuss delicious food and friendship. They highlight wonderful memories surrounding meals they've shared.  Chef Giancarla describes the joy of bringing people together through food and her desire to feed people quality ingredients. She also shares a glimpse of her new line of pasta sauce, Puccia Sauce.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former NFL star and host of The Just Life podcast, Benjamin Watson, highlights his advocacy work, raising awareness for the persecution of Christian overseas, specifically those targeted in Nigeria. He also explains the importance of engaging and supporting believers around the world, sharing highlights from a recent mission trip his family took to Guatemala. Later, Shannon and Benjamin discuss the current phase of College Football and why living in the moment matters.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Semper Fi & America's Fund Chief Program Officer, Case Management East, Karen Hetherington, highlights her organization's initiative to serve veterans and their families. She explains some of the services the organization provides and upcoming volunteer opportunities. As a military spouse herself, Karen understands firsthand the experiences of military family members. She discusses the organization's aim to make their lives a little easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Don't let fear dictate your decisions. Live by faith." - Pastor Mark Batterson New York Times bestselling author and Pastor Mark Batterson shares his new book, Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy. He discusses the importance of dreaming big, trusting God and embracing gradual progress over immediate gratification. Pastor Mark also explains why legacies are a beautiful reminder of how our decisions shape the lives of others. Gradually Then Suddenly will be available Tuesday, November 4th.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who are the forgotten heroes of the Christmas story?   Best-selling author Pastor Robert Morgan discusses Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly couple from the Bible, who are intertwined in the Christmas story. He describes some of the struggles they faced in their life and the lessons they can teach Bible readers.  Pastor Morgan shares his new book, God Hasn't Forgotten You: 24 Remarkable Ways God Is Working In You And Through You, which covers Zechariah and Elizabeth's story and the early chapters of the Gospel of Luke.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Only God can do the impossible.”  - Ruth Chou Simons Author and artist Ruth Chou Simons joins Shannon to discuss her new devotional, The Way of the Wildflower: Gospel Meditations to Unburden Your Anxious Soul. Ruth writes about the importance of having a dependent relationship with God and recognizing that only He can do the impossible. She also shares meditations to help combat different issues. As a mother of six, Ruth discusses how she balances family life and career by cultivating her spiritual life through the quiet moments of everyday decisions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Wednesday President Trump announced that a peace deal had been reached in the Israel-Hamas war, a momentous day  for the families of the remaining hostages and those living within the region. Editor-in-Chief of All Israel News Joel Rosenberg joins Shannon to reflect on the current phase of the ceasefire deal and how he can feel God at the center of the restoration that will come to Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"There's an excitement in following God, and we don't even know where He's going to bring us tomorrow." - David Green Founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, David Green, and CEO of Legacy Stone, Bill High, share their new book, "The Legacy Life: Leading Your Life To Make A Difference For Eternity." They discuss why their personal understanding of legacy has evolved and how they're redefining the concept to encourage readers to discover God's purpose for their lives.  David and Bill highlight a section from their book on 'Legacy Adventures' which shares testimonials on families faithfully defining their legacies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"My life was changed when I stepped into the water." - Jamie MacDonald on her new song "Left It In The River." Christian singer and songwriter Jamie Macdonald joins Shannon to share why she surrendered her music career to God. She discusses the importance of faith when she battled a turbulent season in her life, and the influence her relationship with God has on the music she creates. After the loss of her father, Jamie shares how she reconnected to music, drawing on her own experiences to write songs that can provide comfort to people. She also shares how faith and forgiveness helped her reunite with her mother.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a world saturated with false information, is there a way to defeat false truths? Host of Stay True Podcast and New York Times bestselling author, Madison Prewett Troutt shares her new book, "Dare To Be True: Defeat The Lies That Bind You And Live Out The Truth That Frees You."  Madi explains how to conquer toxic worldly thoughts and live a life that's authentic to who you are. She also addresses purity culture and what it means to be pure of heart, both in attitude and action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever feel like something is getting in the way of your happiness?  New York Times best-selling author and Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor at Harvard University, Arthur Brooks, introduces his new book, "The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life." The book helps readers navigate their lives, redefine success to find inner happiness.   Arthur discusses many factors that impact people's mentality on life, thus depleting their happiness; however, he explains that finding a connection to faith or looking beyond oneself helps people find meaning in their work and life.  Arthur's new podcast, Office Hours with Arthur Brooks is available HERE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In uncertain times, is the Book of Revelation meant to help us? Pastor Gary Hamrick shares his new book, Standing On The Edge of Eternity: The End Times According to Revelation, which guides readers through the Book of Revelation, enabling them to look past their fears and prepare for the return of Jesus Christ.  As Senior Pastor at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia, Pastor Gary explains many ways he has seen people struggle with the Book of Revelation, finding it frightening rather than preparation for an eternity with Christ. He explains how to use his book as a study guide for the concept, empowering readers to prepare for Jesus' return.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Co-founders of She Reads Truth, Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams, introduce their new devotional, The Bible Is for You: A Devotional Journey Through Every Book of the Bible, which covers all 66 Old and New Testament books of the Bible. They share their hope of expanding their readers' connection and understanding of the Bible. Raechel and Amanda also discuss their global online community , She Reads Truth, a platform for women to engage in daily Bible readings and study. They explain that they're finding more young people have a growing interest in diving deep into their faith and She Reads Truth provides that environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Founder of UniteUs and author of the new book "Roses To Revival," Tonya Prewett shares what sparked her vision for the collegiate ministry, UniteUs. Her new book explains her journey through the last five years and how God has connected the dots for her success in helping others unite with Jesus. Tonya explains her experience launching UniteUs and the impact it's had across college campuses and her hopes for the next generation of believers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lead singer of the American Christian rock and pop band MercyMe, Bart Millard, provides an inside look at his new project, "Wonder and Awe," which is the 20th album created by the group. He reveals the inspiration behind some of the incredible songs on the album, including "Oh Death." Later, Bart shares details on the new movie "I Can Only Imagine 2" based on his hit song "Even If," an inspiring sequel to the film "I Can Only Imagine," which will be in theaters in February 2026.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Throughout history, ordinary Americans have done extraordinary things under the Lord's loving and watchful eyes. Senator Tim Scott's (R-SC) new book, "One Nation Always Under God," shares some of these incredible stories about a country comprised of people rooted in their faith.    Senator Scott shares some of these amazing stories with Shannon, including his own. He also describes the role faith plays in helping him make significant decisions in Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pastor Max Lucado's new book, "Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools To Renew Your Mind And Tame Your Thoughts," will provide enlightening perspectives on personal guilt and share how readers can combat negative thought patterns with scripture.  Pastor Lucado describes how his bible-based book urges readers to lean into the unconditional love of God when intrusive thoughts take over their headspace. Later, Pastor Lucado shares with Shannon why UFOs are an essential part of his book.  Pre-order Tame Your Thoughts here!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if your life had taken a different path?  Actress Kristy Swanson sits down with Shannon to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the faith-based film What If…. Kristy describes the filming process and working with great individuals, such as Director Dallas Jenkins and shares her experience reuniting with the cast. Later, Kristy highlights how growing up in faith helped her to choose fantastic faith-based projects, such as 'What If.' What If will be in select theatres August 5th and 7th.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices