When Life Takes an Unwanted Turn - Ruth Chou Simons

Have you ever looked at a flower by the side of the road and thought, “What can this possibly teach me about my anxiety, regrets, and pain?” In this holiday season episode, Candace and artist/author Ruth Chou Simons slow down long enough to actually answer that question. Ruth shares the wildflower stories behind her book The Way of the Wildflower and unpacks how sunflowers, Queen Anne’s lace, and tiny mountainside blossoms can become living parables of freedom, resilience, and God’s tender care. Candace opens up about the regrets that still “pop into her mind,” the places where she struggles to forgive herself, and the tension of wanting closure and resolve right now—especially when things are out of her control. Together, she and Ruth walk through what it looks like to stop replaying the past, release shame, and trust Jesus with the things you can’t fix. Then they turn to a difficult listener question from Swags: “My 12-year-old son has been fighting cancer since he was seven years old. He beat it once, but this time it's winning. Why does God allow this to happen instead of just getting rid of the cancer?” Ruth doesn’t rush to an easy answer. Instead, she gently walks through the reality of a broken world, the hope of the cross, and the way God’s kindness can show up in stories we would never choose—especially in a season that’s supposed to be “merry and bright.” If you’re carrying anxiety, regret, or deep questions for God this Christmas, this episode will help you remember you are seen, loved, and not alone. Connect with Candace and Ruth Candace on Instagram @candacecbure  Follow the Podcast on Instagram @candacecameronburepodcast  Follow the Podcast on TikTok @ccbpodcast Follow Ruth Chou Simons on Instagram: @ruthchousimons Website: https://ruthchousimons.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RuthChouSimons Sponsors For This Episode  -Grand Canyon University: https://www.gcu.edu/ -Harper Collins nivapplicationbible.com -IFCJ ifcj.org -Code CCB for 40% off at CozyEarth.com -Mr. Pen  http://candacepens.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when life suddenly takes an unwanted turn? In Season 12, Episode 2 of the Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, Candace and co-host Ruth Chou Simons talk about crisis, grief, and depending on God when life feels out of control. Ruth shares the story of her son Judah’s mountain biking accident and how God met her in the ICU. Candace opens up about her 10-year break from acting, the fear she’d never work again, and how God used that season to deepen her understanding of the gospel. They also discuss motherhood, grief, identity, and freedom from anxiety through Christ. Listener questions include how to keep faith during a cancer diagnosis and how to find motivation to live when life is falling apart.   00:00 – Tour announcement 03:10 – Season 12 intro 05:00 – How Candace and Ruth met 10:30 – Motherhood is sanctifying 14:30 – Judah’s accident 21:30 – Preparing your heart for crisis 24:30 – Candace’s 10-year hiatus 28:30 – When the gospel “clicked” 33:00 – Grief & eternal hope 37:00 – Listener Q: cancer diagnosis 41:00 – Listener Q: no motivation to live 45:00 – Advent guide + Together Community • Download the free Advent guide at Candace.com  • Submit questions at Candace.com  • Join The Together Community at Candace.com/together  • Subscribe, like, and comment on YouTube  Connect with Candace and Ruth Candace on Instagram @candacecbure  Follow the Podcast on Instagram @candacecameronburepodcast  Follow the Podcast on TikTok @ccbpodcast Follow Ruth Chou Simons on Instagram: @ruthchousimons Website: https://ruthchousimons.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RuthChouSimons Sponsors For This Episode  -Grand Canyon University: https://www.gcu.edu/ -WeShare weshare.org/candace -Harper Collins nivapplicationbible.com -IFCJ ifcj.org-A’Del Natural Cosmetics https://adelnaturalcosmetics.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the path out of anxiety begins by thinking differently? Season 12 kicks off with artist and bestselling author Ruth Chou Simons joining Candace for a shorter season on freedom from anxiety. Ruth shares how the wildflowers of Western Colorado — and Jesus’ words in Luke 12:27 — taught her to stop toiling and spinning and to practice trust in God’s character.  Together they unpack the difference between worry, anxious thoughts, and clinical anxiety (with encouragement to seek wise medical/counseling support), and they walk through practical ways to renew your mind with Scripture, gratitude, and embodied calm. Candace opens up about control, overthinking, and even a stress dream from set life — and how verses like Philippians 4:6–7 and Matthew 6 steady her heart. Listener questions cover: stopping the mind spin, staying grateful on bad days, and simple daily habits that serve mental health (device-free walks, steady workouts).  Plus: a free Advent Guide from Ruth’s Emmanuel to help you savor Jesus’ coming with peace, not pressure. Connect with Candace and Ruth  Candace on Instagram @candacecbure  Follow the Podcast on Instagram @candacecameronburepodcast  Follow the Podcast on TikTok @ccbpodcast Follow Ruth Chou Simons on Instagram: @ruthchousimons Website: https://ruthchousimons.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RuthChouSimons Sponsors For This Episode: -Qava QAVA.tv/Candace -Cozy Earth cozyearth.com/candace ; Use Code CANDACE for 40% off -Operation Christmas Child SamaritansPurse.org/occ -Harper Collins nivapplicationbible.com -IFCJ ifcj.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Functional health coach Vince Pitstick joins Candace to unpack the supplement questions most women have in perimenopause and menopause: magnesium types, electrolytes and sodium, adaptogens for stress, collagen peptides vs. protein, and what peptides actually are.  Vince shares his healing story, explains how to choose medical‑grade brands (and red flags like proprietary blends), and lays out a practical, balanced approach: diet diversity, walking, strength cycles, and smart supplementation that supports hormones and brain clarity.  They answer Laura’s listener question: “Colostrum, peptides, collagen, greens, electrolytes. What is worth the hype? I’m overwhelmed!,” and touch on lifting heavy, protein, and metabolic flexibility.  ·   Get the FREE Whole Body Guide for Season 11 at Candace.com (link in show notes). ·   Ask a question for future episodes or join the private Together Community at Candace.com/together. ·   Grab tickets for Candace’s November 20–23 live tour at Candace.com/tour. ·   Subscribe on YouTube, then share this episode with a friend! Follow Vince on Socials:  IG @vince_pitsick YouTube @VincePitstick  https://vidalcoaching.com/who-we-are/vince-pitstick/ Sponsors For This Episode -Mr. Pen: http://candacepens.com/ -IFCJ http://IFCJ.org -Operation Christmas Child SamaritansPurse.org/occ  -A'Del: ⁠https://adelnaturalcosmetics.com/ ⁠Use code CANDACE for 25% off first order -Harper Collins nivapplicationbible.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What really happens during menopause—and how can faith, science, and self-care come together to help us age with strength and grace? In this powerful conversation, Candace and Dr. Tabatha Barber dive deep into hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the truth behind the 2002 study that scared women away from hormones, and how lifestyle choices like fasting, stress management, and nutrition can restore balance.  They tackle the myths of “self-love,” the pressure to look perfect, and the importance of caring for your body as a spiritual act of stewardship. From estrogen patches to infrared saunas, fasting to functional medicine, this is a must-listen for women of every age who want to understand their health—and take one step closer to Jesus with confidence and courage. Download the free Whole Body Guide — your companion to this season’s “Body & Soul” series at Candace.com. Join Candace on tour! Live November 20–23 in four cities. Tickets and info at candace.com/tour. Become a Together Community member — connect with Candace and other listeners at candace.com/together. Watch Truth and Treason, the powerful true story of courage in Nazi Germany, in theaters October 17 at angel.com/candace. Follow Dr. Tabatha on Socials IG @gutsydrtabatha YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGutsyGynecologist https://drtabatha.com/about/ Sponsors For This Episode -Truth and Treason: https://angel.com/candace -WeShare: https://www.weshare.org/candace -IFCJ http://IFCJ.org -Mr. Pen: http://candacepens.com/-Grand Canyon University: https://www.gcu.edu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Candace and OB-GYN Dr. Tabatha Barber go straight into one of the biggest mysteries of midlife: perimenopause. Together they unpack what menopause really is (one single day after 12 months without a period) and why today’s hormonal chaos—hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, and “food noise”—often comes from stress, gut health, and toxins more than from age alone. Dr. Tabatha explains how cortisol, gut bacteria, and liver overload can throw the whole system off, while Candace opens up about her own journey toward balance and breaking the sugar cycle. The two also discuss renewing the mind with Scripture, practical toxin swaps, smarter lab work, and how to pursue fitness without letting it rule your identity. Calls to Action: • Download the free Whole Body Guide to follow this season’s journey — available now at Candace.com (link in show notes)• Ask a question for a future episode at Candace.com (Questions)• Join the Together Community for private podcast discussions — Candace.com/together• Get tour tickets for Candace’s live events (Nov 20–23) — Candace.com/tour Follow Dr. Tabatha on Socials IG @gutsydrtabatha YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGutsyGynecologist https://drtabatha.com/about/ Sponsors For This Episode -Truth and Treason: angel.com/candace -Nuethix: ⁠https://nuethix.com/⁠ Use code CANDACE -WeShare: https://www.weshare.org/candace -IFCJ http://IFCJ.org - Operation Christmas Child SamaritansPurse.org/occ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Candace welcomes triple‑board‑certified physician Dr. Tabatha Barber to connect faith, medicine, and women’s health. They unpack why your period is a vital sign, what hormonal birth control does (and doesn’t) do, how gut health drives gyn health, and a clear, grace‑filled explanation of the cycle phases—estrogen, progesterone, ovulation, and more. Candace shares vulnerably about navigating depression in her early 20s while on the pill, and Dr. Tabatha offers informed‑consent insights plus practical starting points (from cleaner food choices to simple swaps) so you can build sustainable habits. They close with listener questions on staying consistent with nutrition, postpartum body confidence, and real‑world gear (yes, sports bras). It’s a hopeful, practical conversation for every stage—teens to perimenopause. ·  Download the free **Whole Body Guide** to follow this season’s journey — available at Candace.com (also linked in the show notes). ·  Grab **tour tickets (Nov 20–23)** at Candace.com/tour — games, Q&A, Full House trivia, and women’s wellness real talk. ·  Check out **NuEthix** (code **CANDACE**) and other partners mentioned in this episode — links in the show notes. Follow Dr. Tabatha on Socials IG @gutsydrtabatha YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGutsyGynecologist https://drtabatha.com/about/ Sponsors for This Episode -WeShare: https://www.weshare.org/candace -Truth and Treason: angel.com/candace -Nuethix: ⁠https://nuethix.com/⁠ Use code CANDACE -IFCJ http://IFCJ.org -A’Del Natural Cosmetics https://adelnaturalcosmetics.com/ ⁠Use code CANDACE for 25% off first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Expert Voices Join the Body & Soul Journey Candace Cameron Bure and Lisa Whittle have spent this season diving deep into what it means to live whole—body and soul. Now, Candace takes the conversation further with special guests who bring expert insight and personal testimony to nutrition and women’s health. In this short update, Candace shares what’s coming next: four powerful episodes featuring OB-GYN Dr. Tabatha Barber and nutritional health coach Vince Pitstik. Together, they’ll unpack hormones, nutrition, and the spiritual connection to caring for our bodies. Candace also gives a behind-the-scenes peek at her newest project—Rise and Renew, a 30-day devotional journey available this fall. ·   🌿 Preorder Rise and Renew at candacecbure.com/shop or join the companion video course at Candace.com/together ·   🎧 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss the expert health episodes and future seasons ·   💬 Share your own questions with Candace for future episodes at candace.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Candace and Lisa close out Lisa’s time on Body & Soul by tackling your extra questions—from supplements (electrolytes, collagen, colostrum) and protein goals to walking vs. heavy workouts, gut health, and the Dutch test. They talk honestly about idolatry in fitness, movement as worship, and what premarital counseling could’ve saved them from learning the hard way. Expect lighthearted moments (the “fishy” collagen era, beef-tallow face cream, and perfume confessions) alongside practical takeaways on reading labels, measuring portions, and choosing real food first. Plus: where to find past season guides, the free Whole Body Guide, and a heads-up about upcoming expert episodes on women’s health and nutrition. ·  Grab the free Whole Body Guide at Candace.com to keep growing through Body & Soul. ·  Get tour tickets (Nov 20–23) at Candace.com/tour — games, Q&A, and real talk. ·  Revisit past seasons and download guides at Candace.com. ·  Ask your question for future episodes at Candace.com. Follow Lisa Whittle Instagram: / @lisawhittle  Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com YouTube: / @lisawhittleofficial  Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com Sponsors -WeShare: https://www.weshare.org/candace -Truth and Treason: angel.com/candace -Nuethix: ⁠https://nuethix.com/⁠ Use code CANDACE -IFCJ http://IFCJ.org -Grand Canyon University: https://www.gcu.edu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Candace and Lisa continue this season with a whole-person approach to health—body, mind, and soul. Lisa shares the “motherboard rebuild” moment that reframed her body journey and offers reflection questions to uncover shame, legalism, and unhelpful inputs. Candace gets honest about inviting the Holy Spirit into daily choices around food, fitness, and identity—and why she’s walking into her 50s with gratitude. They cover embodied prayer rhythms, curating your social media algorithm, faith-based counseling, and creating life-giving spaces at home. Listener questions tackle devotional time when life is packed (and when mornings start early). ·   Download the free Whole Body Guide at Candace.com ·   Get tickets to Candace’s Live Tour (Nov 20–23) at candace.com/tour. ·   Subscribe, like, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement! Follow Lisa Whittle on  Instagram: / @lisawhittle  Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com YouTube: / @lisawhittleofficial  Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com SPONSORS -WeShare: https://www.weshare.org/candace -Nuethix: ⁠https://nuethix.com/⁠ Use code CANDACE -IFCJ http://IFCJ.org -Mr. Pen: http://candacepens.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices