Pope Leo XIV is on the road to healing after his cancer surgery this week, but the sudden lung cancer diagnosis raises questions about the future of his papacy. Elected at just 69 in 2025, the first American Bishop of Rome was expected to have a much longer tenure than his predecessors. Fresh off a grueling pilgrimage to France and still scheduled for an 11-day trip to South America, does this show his resilience... or a sense of urgency before time runs out? On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, papal biographer Elise Ann Allen shares her thoughts on the pope's first major health crisis. Having interviewed him for Pope Leo XIV: The Biography, Elise reveals what the man is like beyond the papal mystique—and looks back to Lourdes, France, where Pope Leo drank from the miraculous spring water at the Grotto of Massabielle, wondering what he knew about his health even then. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“God's Word issues a stern warning that false teachers receive greater condemnation.” - Dr. Alex McFarland Election Day is just a few weeks away and the Texas Senate Race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico is a key battleground race. While both candidates have sparked controversy, James Talarico's comment that “God is non-binary," remains a key soundbite. Gaining the attention of voters, fellow candidates, and most importantly the faith community. Theologian and national speaker Dr. Alex McFarland heard Talarico's comments and immediately wanted to understand the theology behind his words. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Dr. Alex McFarland lays out the case for caring about Talarico’s soul, not his politics.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former radical Muslim Kamal Saleem and Messianic Jewish Rabbi Jonathan Cahn discuss how faith in Jesus Christ offers the ultimate reconciliation for the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac, transcending centuries of strife, political diplomacy, and recent Middle East conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

University of Virginia Research Professor and Author Get Married: Why Americans Should Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families and Save Civilization, Brad Wilcox has researched two main arguments: children from stable two-parent homes excel in school, and parents who attend worship services regularly have stronger marriages. While schools often blame economic gaps or systemic issues for performance disparities, Brad argues it's time to factor family structure and marriage data into the equation.  On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, he offers a "just the facts" look at how family values drive success—and he knows what he's talking about! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Best known for starring in Disney's live-action Aladdin (2019), Egyptian born Canadian actor Mena Massoud now takes on a biblical role as the Old Testament prophet Daniel. In the movie Daniel and the Fiery Furnace, Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego face King Nebuchadnezzar’s ultimatum: compromise their faith or be cast into a fiery furnace. On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, Mena discusses the film and how his Coptic Christian background helped him bring the biblical figure to life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is a family's worst nightmare. Devout Catholic parents are fighting in court to regain custody of their 17-year-old daughter, Sophie, and stop Massachusetts authorities from medically transitioning her with high-dose testosterone. In December 2024, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) removed the then 15-year-old from her home because her parents, Joseph and Arlene Kutzko, would not recognize their daughter as a boy due to their faith—an identity change they allege staff at Algonquin Regional High School initiated in secret. Although physical abuse claims against Joseph were deemed unfounded, a permanent restraining order was issued against the family, and DCF cut off contact after the Kutzkos would not call Sophie by a male name or pronouns. Appearing on the Lighthouse Faith podcast alongside attorney Vernadette Broyles, the devastated parents exposed how DCF has housed their daughter in a boys' dormitory, stripped away her Catholic faith by denying her Sunday Mass, and put her on birth control and psychiatric drugs. As the family fights DCF's court attempt to administer testosterone and demands a full psychological evaluation for Sophie, Broyles is pushing Congress to ensure no loving parent's refusal to transition a child is ever branded as "child abuse." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1985, when Kamal Saleem arrived in the United States, he intended to conquer the West in the name of radical Islam. What Kamal didn't intend was that a tragic accident and a divine encounter with Christian medical professionals would permanently alter the course of his life. "The love and sacrificial giving of these men," says Kamal, caused him "to cry out to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, acknowledging his need for the Savior". Kamal Saleem, founder of Koome Ministries, talks about his belief in "the One True and Living God," Jesus, and introduces his book, Ishmael Redeemed: Called to the Kingdom. The book explores how the biblical divide between Ishmael and Isaac correlates directly with the religious divides in today's culture. Kamal explains that his objective is "to unveil the beautiful truth of God’s original plans for the tribes of Ishmael (the Muslim people) and expose the ugly truth concerning the true agenda of radical Islam". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Sometimes God takes an appointed time, an appointed moment to intervene in your life." — Daniel FazzinaSome miracles happen instantly; others are slow brewed over time. God works in both ways and every way in between, displaying His divine interventions in our world. Christian author and journalist Daniel Fazzina has spent years documenting the Lord's miracles, so the world knows there is a God who deeply loves and cares for us. Fazzina suggests we shouldn't just look for a repeat of the parting of the Red Sea—we should look for everyday miracles closer to home. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Fazzina discusses the audiobook release of Divine Intervention: 50 True Stories of God's Miracles Today and his upcoming event, "Power of Testimony," taking place on Long Island, NY, on September 12th. For Fazzina, finding miracles isn't the challenge. It's convincing people to open their minds to stories of unexplained healings, spiritual transformations, and even resurrection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Frank Turek holds many titles: he is a dynamic speaker, author, and notably, theological mentor to the late Charlie Kirk. In 2020, the Turning Point USA founder was full of passion for the Gospel, so he reached out to Dr. Turek after watching many of his videos on CrossExamined.org and from there the two developed a deep earthly and spiritual bond. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Turek discusses his new book, The War on Reality: Recovering Truth In A World That Celebrates Lies. The book carries Charlie's legacy with a dedicated focus, "because so much of what he was doing was fighting for reality on the side of reality."  Pre-Order The War on Reality HERE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A company founded by a Korean War veteran in 1970 has spent decades reclaiming and redeeming lost luggage, repurposing discarded items for charity. It’s a real-world picture of Paul’s words in Romans 8:28: that God works all things together for good. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Lauren is joined by Mindi Cooke, VP of Business Development at Unclaimed Baggage. She shares what actually happens to your bags when they go missing, how less than one percent end up orphaned at their store in Scottsboro, Alabama, and how their Reclaimed for Good initiative is providing foster children and families in need with essential travel resources, affirming that nothing is ever truly lost or forgotten Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices