Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.

In today’s episode, we are looking at what it means to be in a relationship with a highly sensitive person. By first understanding the characteristics and needs of a highly sensitive person, you can then identify how that’s affecting your relationship – especially when it comes to navigating conflict – so you can create a safe, thriving marriage.

Please note that reference to the individuals and organizations quoted does not constitute a blanket endorsement of either the individuals’ external work or their respective organizations. And all names have been changed to protect their privacy.

Episode notes:

Navigating Conflict in Marriage digital booklet

https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/navigating-conflict-in-marriage

Helping Couples Thrive digital booklet

https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/helping-couples-thrive

Focus Marriage Assessment Tool

https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/marriage-assessment

Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.

Support the podcast: https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving

© 2018 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.

Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.

Today it’s our great pleasure to introduce author and speaker Shirley Thiessen. Most people feel uncertain how to express empathy and love to those who are grieving. Shirley was one of those people. Then abruptly, grief ambushed Shirley’s family. Twelve days after her son’s wedding, Shirley was thrown into the unimaginable task of planning his funeral. The trauma of losing her child threatened to destroy her. Hope and resiliency gradually emerged with the caring support of courageous, compassionate friends. They listened, acknowledged her loss, prayed and patiently remained present.

Inspired by these “Hope Heroes,” Shirley wrote the book, The Little Black Funeral Dress: Five Things I Wish I Had Known About Grief to pay it forward. Identifying the need for more grief education particularly in faith communities, Shirley became founder of Corner Bend Grief Ministries in 2019. Her passion is to inspire others to be Hope Heroes so that every grieving soul will experience God’s love and find courage to recycle their pain for his glory.

This conversation with Shirley Thiessen is facilitated by Len DenBraber, chief operating officer at Focus on the Family Canada.

Episode notes:

The Little Black Funeral Dress by Shirley Thiessen

https://shop.focusonthefamily.ca/The-Little-Black-Funeral-Dress

Walking Through Grief PDF booklet

https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/grief

Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.

Support the podcast: https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving

© 2025 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.

Welcome to The Thriving Family, a Focus on the Family Canada podcast.

In today’s episode, we are diving into the realm of anxiety. For those who become overwhelmed by their anxious thoughts, it can be difficult to find a way out of that heightened state on our own. Thankfully, God provides us with helpful tools and resources – which we explore in this episode.

Episode notes:

Understanding Anxiety video series

https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/understanding-anxiety

Understanding and Navigating Anxiety PDF booklet

https://info.focusonthefamily.ca/anxiety

Free, one-time consultation with a registered counsellor at Focus on the Family Canada over the phone. Give our head office a call at 1-800-661-9800 to request a consult.

Support the podcast: https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/podcastgiving

© 2013 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.