What does perseverance really look like after life changes forever?

In this deeply moving and surprisingly joyful episode of Lessons From Living, host Beth Graham sits down with Dr. James Perdue—Professor of Perseverance—for an honest conversation about resilience, faith, and rebuilding a meaningful life after catastrophe.

After a life-altering accident left him a quadriplegic, Dr. Perdue shares what quadriplegia is, what a typical day looks like, and the ongoing health challenges he navigates. He opens up about how he initially spent his energy after the accident, why it took three years to land his first job, and the people who were instrumental in keeping him going when hope felt distant.

We talk candidly about:

1. Why faith was difficult for him in the beginning—and how God’s role in his life has evolved
2. His journey through depression and suicide attempts, and what ultimately shifted
3. The moment he chose perseverance as his life’s focus
4. Developing resilience after trauma and reframing injury as an event, not an identity
5. Treating every setback as a reset
6. How to control the controllables and build healthy daily rituals
7. Using gratitude as fuel, anchoring to something bigger than yourself, and developing purpose
8. The power of building a strong, supportive team

Despite the depth and gravity of these topics, this conversation is filled with humor, joy, and hope, offering practical wisdom for anyone facing adversity, loss, or major life transitions.

This episode is for anyone who wants to learn how to keep going, redefine what’s possible, and live a life of meaning—no matter what they’re carrying.

🎙️ Listen now and discover how perseverance can transform catastrophe into purpose.

Join us for a meaningful New Year's Eve episode as Richard and I reflect on the transformative moments of 2025. We discuss the beliefs we've updated, habits that brought us joy, and the books that reshaped our perspectives. Discover what we stopped doing that improved our lives, memorable conversations that left a mark, and how we learned about our capacities and limits. Each of us shares a special "word of the year" to guide our intentions for the future, along with small courageous steps and experiments we plan to undertake. We conclude with an Irish blessing for our listeners and invite you to share your own "word of the year." Tune in for inspiration and personal growth as we embrace new beginnings together!

What if silence is not the absence of God—but the place where you finally meet Him?

In this Lessons From Living episode, Rich Lewis, author of Sitting with God: A Journey to Your True Self Through Centering Prayer, shares how contemplative prayer became one of the most life-giving and identity-shaping practices of his spiritual journey.

Rich explains what centering prayer is, exactly how it is practiced, and why letting go—rather than striving—can lead to deep healing and transformation. We talk about discovering your “true self,” carving out time for prayer in a busy world, and using journaling alongside contemplative prayer to process what surfaces in silence.

This conversation also addresses common struggles with centering prayer, seasons of spiritual dryness and doubt, and why contemplative prayer is theologically sound. Rich shares how this ancient practice can be done in community, why silence is undervalued in modern culture, and the surprising “side effects” of a prayer life rooted in stillness.

If you’re longing for a deeper relationship with God, curious about contemplative prayer, or feeling spiritually weary, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and a grounded invitation to sit with God—and be changed.

Show Notes:

Sitting with God: A Journey to Your True Self with Centering Prayer, Rich Lewis

Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots, Amos Smith

https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/

https://silenceteaches.com/

In this insightful episode of Lessons From Living, we explore the growing frustration among young Americans and their evolving views on socialism. We discuss the challenges they face, from soaring housing costs to predatory college debts, and how these experiences prompt a desire for fairness and relief. Delving into the misconceptions around socialism, we clarify that the call for change is not about government ownership but about seeking pathways to affordable healthcare, education, and meaningful work. We also examine successful models like the Scandinavian approach to social welfare, emphasizing that real solutions require both responsibility and autonomy. Join us for a candid conversation on how to build systems that empower young people, foster true growth, ensure their voices and aspirations are understood and addressed, and freedom is preserved.

In this powerful episode of Lessons From Living, Caleb David shares his remarkable journey from a childhood marked by spiritual abuse, violence, and a narcissistic father to becoming a compassionate leader dedicated to service. Caleb opens up about witnessing his mother being beaten, how his early spiritual formation was distorted by an abusive pastor-father, and the long path toward healing and reclaiming his faith.

We explore how he broke free from the example he was shown, building resilience through business failure, the collapse of a marriage, and the deep work required to recover a healthy sense of identity. Caleb discusses why providing stability for his adopted Ethiopian children matters, how he rebuilt his understanding of God, and what motivates his lifelong commitment to service-oriented work.

This conversation dives into:

• Overcoming childhood trauma and spiritual abuse
• Breaking generational patterns and choosing compassion
• Recovering from business and relationship failure
• Rehabilitating a damaged faith relationship
• The importance of stable community for children
• Why a service mindset thrives in both nonprofit and private sectors
• Encouraging others to give back—even when they doubt their value

If you’re looking for a story of resilience, purpose, and the redemptive power of service, this episode will stay with you long after listening.

Join Beth as she reflects on her recent travels through Italy and the timeless lessons this vibrant country offers. From Italy’s deep sense of community and love for family to the importance of taking pride in how we present ourselves, Beth explores what makes Italian life so rich and meaningful. She also touches on some of the social and economic challenges Italy faces today — and how mutual inspiration between nations keeps hope and creativity alive.

Caregiving can change everything—your relationships, your health, your sense of self. In this Lessons From Living episode, writer and former ICU nurse Tracy Crump shares her journey through years of caregiving, having cared for four close family members. We talk about the emotional drain caregivers face, making tough medical and family decisions, handling guilt, caring for difficult patients, and rebuilding life afterward. Tracy offers practical insights and hope for anyone walking the caregiving road. From advocating through the healthcare system to practicing self-care and finding healing after loss, this Lessons From Living episode offers compassion and insight for every caregiver’s journey.

Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness, Tracy Crump

Tracy Crump.com

Instagram: TracyCrumpWrites

In this heartfelt episode of 'Lessons From Living,' Beth sits down with her husband, Richard, to explore their journey of raising six children, running a business for 25 years, and his inspiring transition into leadership coaching. Join them as they share valuable lessons from family life, business challenges, and the power of leadership growth. Bonus: listen til the end to hear two family legends that the Graham's still laugh about today.