Nashville-based therapist Tricia Thornton came to the country’s attention in 2023 when she counseled grieving children and their families following the tragic Covenant School shooting.

An emerging figure in the world of child and family therapy, Thornton combines psychological and neuroscience research with spiritual guidance to address many of the mental health issues that parents are facing as they raise their children in today’s unforgiving world.

In a follow up to her debut book, Thornton has released Beyond Blessed Parenting, a practical guide for parents who want nothing more than to raise their children to be morally productive, faith-inspired adults. In the book’s 192 pages, Thornton, a parent of two, provides valuable insight and faith-fueled guidance on troubling topics ranging from fear to anxiety to dealing with trauma.

We recently sat down with Thornton to discuss the most critical challenge facing parents today, understanding the brain’s role in making an authentic connection with our children, and why it is so vital to stay connected to God in the most challenging of circumstances.

• Tricia's Website
• Beyond Blessed Parenting Book

The flames seemed to climb higher and higher at the recent Dove Awards ceremony as the Grammy Award winning duo for KING & COUNTRY unveiled their latest radio single, “World on Fire”. As flames blazed 20 feet high on the stage, the performance served as a beacon that they were back and better than ever.

The performance marked the band’s first original song release in more than two years. Fresh from a year off from touring to get some much-needed rest and to regroup for the next phase of their music, “World on Fire” represents a rallying cry to live fully alive and to be on fire for God.

The single will serve as a precursor to their forthcoming 2026 album release, a recording designed to build upon the success of the 2024 hit feature film “Unsung Hero”, a biopic about how their family first came to America from Australia.

One half of for KING & COUNTRY, Luke Smallbone, says that the time off afforded them the chance to reflect upon where the last 15 years have taken them and to allow God to breathe new vision into their hearts. He believes that out of this refining process will come a renewed clarity to usher in a new era for them, one of passion and purpose.

Luke joins me to chat about why he and his brother, Joel Smallbone, decided to take some time off and how it has refocused them for what lies ahead. Listen as he shares about their new single, "World on Fire" and his hope that it will become an anthem for revival around the world.

Links from the Show

• for KING + COUNTRY - WORLD ON FIRE with Taylor Hill | Live At GMA Dove Awards 2025
• Luke Smallbone's first appearance on this podcast (Episode 85)

The old adage, “follow your dreams” is something that we have all heard but rarely do we ever hear about someone who actually arrived at their desired destination. Too many times, people get derailed in their pursuit due to seemingly insurmountable obstacles, unforeseen detours, or an eventual lack of interest. That’s why it is always so heartwarming to hear about that individual who actually made their dreams come true.

Take Texas-based steel industry executive Chris Whittington for example. As the owner and founder of a Houston-based steel company, Whittington has forged a highly respectable career in providing industrial grade metals to a region known for energy, aerospace, and manufacturing. But he had a passion beyond the industry he has so dutifully served for more than three decades.

Music.

Running parallel to his business pursuits, Whittington has served as a worship leader in local churches for many years, creating a natural venue for him to write and perform his own music. Over the last decade, he has released three solo albums including his latest, Bright Portal Remastered 2025 which is an updated version of his debut which was originally released in 2015.

Whittington joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about the powerful influence that music has had on his spiritual life. Listen as he shares what God has taught him about the value of patience in balancing a successful career in business with a burgeoning passion writing, recording, and releasing music.