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Artwork for Desperate For Hope

Desperate For Hope with Vaneetha Risner

Vaneetha Risner
Divorce
Christianity
This Was Never the Plan
God
Divorcecare
Forgiveness
Fear
Anger
Child Development
Parenting
Abuse
Grief
Depression
Biblical Counseling
Identity In Christ
Anxiety
Co-Parenting
Therapy/counseling
Church
Remarriage

When my own marriage ended, I felt lost, confused, and unsure how to move forward as a Christian. This podcast was created to walk with you through the grief, questions, and unexpected turns of divorce—offering biblical hope, honest conversation, and the steady reminder that even here, God is present and at work in your story.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes19Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityChristianity

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Desperate For Hope

Latest Episodes

Counselor Paula Rinehart will bring wisdom for parents walking the tender road of their child’s divorce—how to be present without controlling, supportive without shaming, and hopeful without rescuing. She will speak to navigating in-law dynamics and ... more

Barnabas Piper, pastor and author, will share about his experience as a divorced man—what it meant to rebuild identity, wrestle with Scripture and conscience around remarriage, and step into dating with wisdom and faith. He will offer a male perspect... more

YouTube

Steve Grissom, founder of DivorceCare, will share why community matters when your world collapses, how forgiveness frees you from bitterness, and what it looks like to risk trust again. He will tell the story behind DivorceCare and offer practical wi... more

YouTube

Shannon McCoy, a counselor and author who has walked through divorce herself, will offer both professional insight and personal honesty about grief you can’t schedule. She will share how depression and ambiguous loss can distort identity, push people... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Barnabas Piper
Pastor and author, guest sharing his divorce experience
Pastor at Emmanuel Church, Nashville; author
Episode: Barnabas Piper: A Man’s Perspective on Life After Divorce
Steve Grissom
Founder of DivorceCare
DivorceCare
Episode: Steve Grissom: Finding Community After Divorce
Shannon McCoy
Counselor, author; survivor of divorce, single mom
Episode: Shannon McCoy: Grief, Depression & Single Parenting
Brad Hambrick
Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church; author and editor on church care for the abused
The Summit Church
Episode: Brad Hambrick: When Marriage Breaks from Betrayal or Abuse
Brighton Butler
Lifestyle and faith blogger, public figure who shared her divorce journey
Brighton the Day
Episode: Brighton Butler: Living Forward While Still Healing
Sissy Goff
Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Ministries; co-host of Raising Boys and Girls
Daystar Ministries / Raising Boys and Girls
Episode: Sissy Goff: Helping Kids Feel Safe Again
Paul Tripp
Pastor, counselor, and author
Paul Tripp Ministries / author of gospel-centered books
Episode: Paul David Tripp: God’s Presence in the Midst of Divorce

Host

Vaneetha Risner
Host who introduces guests and guides conversations; leads discussions with empathy and clarity.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 107 ratings
  • Authenticity anchored in the goodness of God

    Was so blessed as I listened to these! Vaneetha does an amazing job of blending the hard realities of suffering while drawing the listener to see the goodness of God. So encouraging to hear from the multiple fellow sufferers she interviews. Will definitely listen to all of these over and over. Thank you vaneetha for providing this quality resource!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    West coast girl:)
    United States3 years ago
  • Incredibly helpful

    Thank you so much for investing in those who are suffering! Your podcast is timely, practical, honestly raw!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    QueCumber
    United States3 years ago
  • Authentic encouragement

    So encouraging for Christians who experience suffering. Vaneetha and her guests are authentic about the difficulties in life, while staying hopeful and encouraging. Not with platitudes or ‘easy answers’ but with the truths they’ve held on to through the worst storms. I’ve been strengthened & encouraged by these conversations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gregspan
    United States3 years ago
  • Honest and encouraging

    Vaneetha doesn’t shy away from asking the hard questions about the hard things that happen in life. The people she interviews are honest about how they continue to live a difficult life but still continue to trust in God and His plan. Their words give so much hope.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WestieLover15
    United States3 years ago
  • Encouraging!

    Love listening to this podcast! Full of encouragement and pointing to Christ during the trials we face in this life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joyfulmomto3
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Encouraging content for listeners walking through divorce and grief.
Compelling guests who model authentic faith and resilience.
Honest, practical faith guidance during painful seasons.
Genuine, hopeful conversations that acknowledge real struggle.
Calm, compassionate interviewing that respects difficult topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Brad Hambrick: When Marriage Breaks from Betrayal or Abuse
Q: What practical steps can churches take to support someone going through divorce, especially when abuse or infidelity is involved?
Churches should involve trusted mentors, provide structured resources and training for pastors, consider appointing mentors from within the congregation, and use tools like guardian ad litem to protect the children's voice in custody cases while maintaining a compassionate, non-judgmental posture toward the hurting individual.
Brad Hambrick: When Marriage Breaks from Betrayal or Abuse
Q: Why isn't reconciliation always possible, and how should churches discuss this with biblical integrity?
Reconciliation depends on both parties and the presence of genuine repentance and healing; sometimes one party is not repentant, or the harm is so profound that living together again would be unsafe or unhealthy, and scripture supports divorce as a permissible option in such cases, though not required.
Brad Hambrick: When Marriage Breaks from Betrayal or Abuse
Q: How can pastors distinguish remorse from genuine repentance when someone is confessing harm in a marriage?
Pastors should look for ongoing disclosure, accountability, and evidence that the person is not just addressing the known issue but also addressing underlying patterns, including willingness to involve others and to confront the cover-up, not just the surface behavior.
Shannon McCoy: Grief, Depression & Single Parenting
Q: Well, before we jump in, I'd love for you to just share with the listeners a little bit about yourself.
Shannon shares her background, moving from California to South Carolina, her education in biblical counseling, and her journey through marriage, divorce, and single parenting, framing how her faith has guided her through the toughest years.
Brighton Butler: Living Forward While Still Healing
Q: How did you manage sharing your story publicly while protecting your family and navigating litigation?
She explains balancing honesty with privacy, the need to keep work going, and choosing what to share; she notes the importance of using boundaries and careful communication to avoid harm and keep the focus on the kids.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Desperate For Hope

What is Desperate For Hope about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A faith-centered show that accompanies listeners through divorce, grief, and rebuilding life with honesty and biblical hope. Across episodes, conversations blend personal stories with practical guidance on healing, co-parenting, boundary-setting, and staying connected to faith during painful transitions. Guests span pastors, therapists, and people sharing intimate experiences, all aiming to help listeners feel seen, understood, and empowered to navigate crisis with integrity and hope. A standout throughline is the emphasis on God's presence in suffering and the transformative potential of community, prayer, and trustworthy routines during hard seasons.

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How many listeners does Desperate For Hope get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Desperate For Hope?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Desperate For Hope:

1. De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan
2. The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz
3. Raising Boys & Girls
4. The Toast
5. The Big Boo Cast

How many episodes of Desperate For Hope are there?

Desperate For Hope launched 3 years ago and published 19 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Desperate For Hope?

Recent guests on Desperate For Hope include:

1. Barnabas Piper
2. Steve Grissom
3. Shannon McCoy
4. Brad Hambrick
5. Brighton Butler
6. Sissy Goff
7. Paul Tripp

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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