FamilyLife Network - Unfavorable Odds™

33: Thanks to a Tumor

Scott Hamilton — Mon, 10 May 2021 10:12:11 -0500

Scott Hamilton is known for his incredible figure-skating career. Though he was picked on as a kid for his small size and choice of sport, he went on to win world championships and an olympic gold medal. But he faced even bigger challenges than landing a perfect backflip on ice. Listen to how God sustained Scott through the death of his mother, cancer, and a tumor that had more to do with his skating success than you might think.

Show Notes and Resources

Get the book, The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (even when you have every reason to be miserable) by Scott Hamilton. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007V91IVI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8andbtkr=1
Scott's website: https://scotthamilton.com/
Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation. https://www.scottcares.org/
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Season 5 + Bonus Episode Announcement

Kim Anthony — Thu, 06 May 2021 09:28:06 -0500

Season 5 is delayed until at least Fall of 2021. Until then, you can catch up on past episodes and soon a bonus episode with figure skater Scott Hamilton!

32: Buried Dreams

Lindsey R. Dennis — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 00:00:30 -0600

Finding out her daughter Sophie wouldn't survive outside the womb was devastating. Lindsay R. Dennis had months to prepare for what felt inevitable. She and her husband celebrated Sophie's short life while she was in the womb, including a trip to Disney and a boy band concert. But they couldn't prepare for going through it all ... again.
Show Notes and Resources

Buried Dreams: From Devastating Loss to Unimaginable Hope by Lindsey R. Dennis. https://www.abingdonpress.com/product/9781501869112/
Blog – Vapor and Mist. https://vaporandmist.com/
Song used: The Joy Eternal - "The Best Is Yet To Come." https://youtu.be/PXrcrHfjZC0
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31: Finding Freedom in Prison

Herman Mendoza — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 00:01:18 -0600

"My life is over." That's what Herman Mendoza thought as he raised his arms in surrender. The police had his house surrounded. His kids were in bed while his wife tried to defend him. He tried to run, but it was useless. A once powerful drug lord, Herman now faced life in prison. And "life" is exactly what he found there.

Show Notes and Resources

Shifting Shadows: How a New York Drug Lord Found Freedom in the Last Place He Expected by Herman Bendoza. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0821NSD6Z/
Herman Mendoza's website: https://www.hermanmendoza.com/
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30: Abortions, Stillborns, and New Life

Molly White — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 00:00:17 -0600

After being date-raped and becoming pregnant, Molly S. White was told the baby growing inside of her was not yet a baby. So she had an abortion. Years later and excited to be pregnant with triplets, she lost all three of the babies before birth. But she says in the midst of sin and struggle was where new life and new hope was found.

Show Notes and Resources

BOOK: "Deceived: God Brought Purpose from My Pain" by Molly S. White. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZMLM32Z/
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29: The Projects and the Cornfields

LaMorris and Megan Crawford — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 00:00:59 -0600

LaMorris and Megan Crawford came from two different worlds. He grew up in gangs on the South Side of Chicago. She grew up sheltered in the cornfields of Indiana. But when Megan met LaMorris at a Christian college, she fell in love. Her parents, however, did not. They didn't have to meet him, he was black and that was enough.

Show Notes and Resources

LaMorris Crawford's website http://www.lamorriscrawford.com/
Support the Crawfords as Cru missionaries with Athletes In Action. https://give.cru.org/0773716
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28: Forged Through Fire-Mark D. McDonough

Mark McDonough — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 01:00:19 -0500

Now a reconstructive and plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark D. McDonough suffered severe burns as a teenager in a house fire that took his brother and mother. During his own surgery after the fire, he was awake but unable to alert the surgeons. Later in life he held pop singer Christina Grimmie as she died from gunshot wounds after a concert. And yet, through these and other tragic moments in his life, Dr. McDonough is able to trust God. How?
Show Notes and Resources

Forged through Fire: A Reconstructive Surgeon's Story of Survival, Faith, and Healing by Dr. Mark D. McDonough. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PXTDNSL/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_7NTnFbB35KMAY
Dr. Mark's website https://drmarkmcd.com/
Songs in this episode: Christina Grimmie - "In Christ Alone" (cover) https://youtu.be/RzseOqwn8oo, Christina Grimmie - "I Bet You Don't Curse God" from the album With Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07Qaq0xsgjc, and Before You Exit - "Clouds" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktQBoV_96fo.
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27: God’s Double Agent-Bob Fu

Bob Fu — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 01:01:14 -0500

Bob Fu wanted to become a communist leader. But after becoming a Christian, he instead led an underground, theological training center in China. He and his wife were eventually imprisoned, but were able to move to America after the intervention of a U.S. president.
Show Notes and Resources

God's Double Agent: The True Story of a Chinese Christian's Fight for Freedom by Bob Fu and Nancy French https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801017068/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_eNTnFbQRND72A
ChinaAid. https://www.chinaaid.org/
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26: Unmarked Intersection-Rhonda Robinson

Rhonda Robinson — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 01:01:58 -0500

What happens when devastation interrupts a good life? For Rhonda Robinson, June 3, 2008, was a day that would split her life in two. On that day two of Rhonda's sons were involved in an accident. One son survived, one did not.

Show Notes and Resources

FreeFall: Holding onto Faith When the Unthinkable Strikes by Rhonda Robinson. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1563093006/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_0KTnFbWK9BSYD
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
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25: A Big Life-Dr. John M. Perkins

John M. Perkins — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:40:59 -0500

Dr. John M. Perkins was born in poverty in rural Mississippi and became a leader in the civil rights movement. In 1970, he was tortured by white police officers in jail. Instead of returning evil with evil, God gave him a desire to preach a gospel that could save blacks and whites together.

Show Notes and Resources

Dream with Me: Race, Love, and the Struggle We Must Win by John M. Perkins https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801075866/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_IHTnFbY7P5R9C
Let Justice Roll Down by John M. Perkins https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801018153/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_lFTnFbZEWZD8M
The John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation for Justice, Reconciliation and Community Development (JVMPF) https://www.jvmpf.org/
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Unfavorable Odds™ Season 4 Announcement

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 01:01:53 -0500

A new season of Unfavorable Odds™ is coming in September 2020. More stories of hardship, tragedy, and heartbreak, and what happens when healing is found in Christ. You can subscribe now on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Until then, you can catch up on past episodes or check out our other podcasts on the FamilyLife® Podcast Network at https://www.familylife.com/podcasts.

24: Grace Anna Sings

Angela Ray Rodgers — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:00:53 -0500

A few years ago, Angela Ray Rodgers posted a video online of her then 3-year-old daughter, Grace Anna, singing the national anthem at the top of her lungs. The adorable rendition gained national attention. Grace Anna is one seriously cute little girl who has some seriously challenging health issues, including enduring several life restorative surgeries. Her mother's book, Grace Anna Sings, tells the story of a brave little girl whose joy in the midst of her challenges has brought hope and inspiration to the world. Be sure to hang around until the end of the episode to hear from Grace Anna and enjoy a special performance.

Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Angela Ray Rodgers and Grace Anna and their books, Grace Anna Sings and What Do You See When You Look at Me? https://www.graceannasings.org/
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23: Hope Found, Voice Found

Vicki Rose — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:01:09 -0500

Vicki Rose dreamed of having a beautiful family and of being rich and famous. So marrying Billy should've been a dream come true. They lived in Manhattan, hung out with important people, and ate at fancy restaurants. But married life was more like a nightmare. Between drug addiction and a long separation, divorce looked inevitable. But God had other plans.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Vicki Rose or her book, Every Reason to Leave: And Why We Chose to Stay Together. https://www.vickirosenyc.com/
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds™. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

22: Getting Up From Being Down

S. Todd Townsend — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 01:00:45 -0500

Dr. S. Todd Townsend grew up in the inner city of Philadelphia and, in his own words, was a "common thug." He dealt drugs, stole cars, and broke into people's homes. He was heading for a life of destruction-until Jesus intervened. Dr. Townsend is the senior pastor of the Resurrection Center in Wilmington, Delaware, and author of "Getting Up From Being Down."
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Dr. S. Todd Townsend or his book, Getting Up From Being Down. https://stoddtownsend.com/
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Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds™. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

21: Wounded Warrior and Enduring Love

Carlos and Rosemarie Evans — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 01:00:22 -0500

Carlos Evans was on his fourth deployment, serving as a Marine. While leading his team on foot patrol, he stepped on an explosive device, leaving him with life-altering injuries. The journey to recovery would not be easy for Carlos or his wife, Rosemarie. But by God's grace, they were able to turn tragedy into triumph.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Carlos and Rosemarie Evans or their book, Standing Together. https://crevans.org/
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Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds™. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

20: Some Kind of Crazy

Terry Wardle — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 01:00:32 -0500

Terry Wardle grew up in a small coal mining town with a tough, dysfunctional extended family in which the men had a distaste for religion and education. Despite a traumatizing childhood, Terry became a Christian, earned a doctorate, and would eventually become dean of a seminary in New York. But after losing a job for being too controversial, Terry spiraled into depression and could barely get out of bed. He checked himself into a psychiatric facility and for the first time encountered true Christian fellowship. That's when his healing began and his past was redeemed.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Terry Wardle or his book, Some Kind of Crazy. https://www.terrywardle.com/
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
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19: A Journey of Hope Through 9/11

Shelly Genovese Calhoun — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 01:00:32 -0500

Shelly Genovese Calhoun married the man of her dreams, moved to New Jersey, and started modeling in New York City. Her husband worked on Wall Street. They built a house and had a beautiful baby girl. Returning home on September 10, 2001, from a family trip to Texas, Shelly had no idea it would be her last night together with her husband. Shelly tells her story of finding God's grace in the midst of tragic loss.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Shelly Genovese Calhoun or her book, Twice Blessed: A Journey of Hope Through 9/11. https://www.twiceblessed911.com/
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds™. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

18: The Secret Lies Within

Anne Beiler — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 00:00:14 -0500

Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne's pretzels, grew up in a loving Amish-Mennonite home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where feelings were not often put to words. As an adult, she lost her nineteen-month-old daughter in an accident, and things got worse when she opened up and confided in her pastor. Anne tells of how trauma and tragedy changed her, and the healing she has found in God.

Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Anne Beiler or her book, The Secret Lies Within. https://auntieannebeiler.com/
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds™. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

17: In Pursuit of Love

Rebecca Bender — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 23:00:14 -0600

Rebecca Bender went from good kid, to stripper, to prostitute. Wanting a family for her daughter, she followed her boyfriend, only to be sold for sex. How did it happen? And why was it so hard to leave? Rebecca tells her story of being trafficked and how God delivered her.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Rebecca Bender or her book, In Pursuit of Love. https://rebeccabender.org/
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888, SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO")
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds™. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

Unfavorable Odds™ Season 3 Announcement

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 08:27:02 -0600

A new season of Unfavorable Odds™ is coming in March 2020.More stories of hardship, tragedy, and heartbreak, and what happens when healing is found in Christ. You can subscribe now on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Until then, you can catch up on past episodes or check out our other podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network at FamilyLife.com/Podcasts.

16: Happily Broken

Clementine Bihiga — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 14:11:43 -0600

Clementine Bahiga's infectious laugh and positive outlook are not what you expect from someone with her past. Life was good growing up in Rwanda, until, at age 8, genocide forced her family to flee their home. She survived a violent attack and a disease-ridden refugee camp before getting the chance to move to the U.S. with her family. Even after arriving in the U.S., her troubles didn't end. She was bullied in school, and a devastating miscarriage later in life was followed by suicidal thoughts. But she wrestled with God and found hope.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Clementine Bihiga's book, "Happily Broken." https://www.amazon.com/dp/1511439777/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_066VDbR901Q4S
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds™. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

15: My Affliction For His Glory

Daniel Ritchie — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 00:00:17 -0500

Moments after Daniel Ritchie was born without arms and with difficulty breathing, the doctor asked his father, "Do you want us to let him go?" Thankfully Daniel's father said no. His childhood would be similar to any other boy's, except he had to figure out how to do everything with his feet-from playing with toy cars to eating. The innocence of childhood would give way to cynicism in his teen years as Daniel realized his life was much different than everybody else's. Being different invited the cruelty of others-stares, rude comments, and being kicked out of restaurants-which lead to bitterness, resentment, and loneliness. But when Daniel trusted in Jesus, he found a new identity, a calling to serve others, and a joy in the Lord that transcends circumstances.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Daniel Ritchie. https://danielritchie.org/
Daniel's book "My Affliction For His Glory." https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B9NPZ5Y/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_DC4MDbG45JBDW
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network. https://www.familylife.com/familylife-podcast-network/
Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds™. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

14: When Healing is a Process

René Rochester — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 00:00:17 -0500

Dr. René Rochester and her best friend committed to each other they would get yearly mammograms. The year she almost missed it, Dr. Rochester was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through the support of her close friends, her students, her medical team, and the providential timing of it all, Dr. Rochester was able to go through treatment without having to even miss much work. Her healing was not instantaneous; it was more of a process God took her through. But her faith in God and His Word has sustained her through it all, including a recent scare.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Dr. René Rochester. https://drrenerochester.com/
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

13: The Shot Caller

Casey Diaz — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 00:00:15 -0500

A gang can look like a family to a kid who grows up with an abusive father and little sense of family at home. For Casey Diaz, it was the protection and loyalty of a gang that drew him in. After violent initiations and living the gang life, Casey was arrested for murder while still a teenager. In prison, Casey became a “shot caller” and commanded the respect of enemy gang members. Then while enduring solitary confinement for most of everyday, he was visited by an unexpected visitor and would experience an unexpected change in his life. Casey’s life is a reminder that no one is too far gone to be used by God.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Casey Diaz or his book, "The Shot Caller." https://caseydiaz.net/
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/

12: Aly’s Fight

Josh and Aly Taylor — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 00:00:14 -0500

Josh and Aly were enjoying life in the early years of marriage. God was good and life was good. But on October 17, 2011 Aly received a phone call from her doctor and learned she had breast cancer. Through the treatments, the possibility of ever conceiving children seemed to disappear. Life was not looking good, but God still had good in mind for Josh, Aly, and their family.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Josh and Aly Taylor and their book, "Aly's Fight." https://alysfight.com/
Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.
Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like Unfavorable Odds. https://donate.familylife.com/unfavorable-odds/