Christian Counseling and Mental Health: Raising Strong Families in an Anxious World with Zach Clinton

What would you do if the system you trusted to protect your child became the source of their suffering?In this powerful episode of Politely Rude, Abby Johnson sits down again with Jackie Schlegel, founder and executive director of Texans for Medical Freedom, for a candid and emotional conversation about the growing movement for medical transparency and parental choice. Jackie opens up about her daughter Ashlyn’s vaccine injury — an experience that changed her life, launched her into advocacy, and continues to fuel her fight for accountability in public health.Together, Abby and Jackie unpack the dramatic expansion of the childhood vaccine schedule, the historic 1986 law that granted vaccine manufacturers immunity from liability, and what the medical freedom movement is doing today to protect families’ rights to informed consent. From COVID to children’s health crises, they ask hard questions about how we got here — and where America must go next to restore trust, truth, and compassion in healthcare.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter

When Christine Melchor founded the Houston Coalition for Life, she had no office, no resources, and no plan—only a conviction that God was calling her to act. Decades later, that simple step of obedience has blossomed into a ministry that has reached over 40,000 women and inspired countless others across the nation.In this moving episode, Abby Johnson sits down with her longtime friend and fellow pro-life leader Christine Melchor, Executive Director of the Houston Coalition for Life, to share the incredible story of how a single act of faith led to the creation of the Big Blue Bus—a mobile pregnancy center parked just outside the largest Planned Parenthood in the Western Hemisphere.Together, they reflect on the quiet power of prayer, the courage it takes to trust God with the impossible, and the unseen heroes who stand in the gap for mothers and babies every day. It’s an inspiring conversation about faith that acts, miracles that multiply, and how being in the right place at the right time can change the course of countless lives.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter

In this powerful episode Reg Platt sits down in studio with Abby Johnson to tell a life story that's equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. He recounts his descent into heavy drinking and cocaine use, the guilt and shame after an abortion in 1976, a suicide attempt, experiments with black magic, and ultimately a dramatic spiritual turnaround that led to decades of marriage and pro-life ministry. Along the way Reg reflects on how men are often overlooked in post-abortion healing, why “supporting her choice” can be a cop-out, and how programs like Rachel’s Vineyard and Project Joseph helped him find real restoration. Honest, vulnerable, and at times uncomfortable — this episode lifts the lid on topics men rarely discuss in public.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter

In this raw and redemptive episode of Politely Rude, host Abby Johnson sits down with author and journalist Jon Seidl for one of his most vulnerable interviews yet.Jon opens up about his spiral from professional success to private struggle — the slow fade from faith-filled journalist to a Christian battling addiction. He shares how trauma, burnout, and unmet expectations led him to numb his pain with alcohol, and how God met him in the mess to rebuild his life piece by piece.Together, Abby and Jon talk honestly about the Church’s silence around mental health and addiction, why Christians aren’t immune to collapse, and what true healing looks like when you finally stop running from yourself. Jon also discusses his new devotional, The Veritas Daily, and his latest book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic — a bold exploration of grace, repentance, and rebuilding faith after failure.This conversation is messy, honest, and ultimately hopeful — a reminder that no one is too far gone for God’s redemption.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter

In this powerful episode of Politely Rude, host Abby Johnson sits down with Catholic philosopher, author, and cultural commentator Dr. Taylor Marshall. Known for his bold defense of faith and family, Dr. Marshall shares his journey from being an Anglican priest to becoming a Catholic, and how his faith informs his approach to culture, politics, and family life.Together, Abby and Dr. Marshall dive into the heart of his new book Christian Patriot, exploring the “12 Strategies” he lays out for restoring culture, politics, and family life to align with God’s order. From defending life and marriage, to reclaiming education, to raising children who are courageous truth-tellers, the conversation challenges believers to stop compromising with secular ideologies and instead live boldly as Christians in every sphere of life.This episode is both inspiring and practical—a call to parents, leaders, and everyday Christians to embrace conviction over compromise and rediscover what it truly means to shape a culture rooted in faith.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter

In this powerful Season 7 premiere, Abby Johnson sits down with Ruslan KD — artist, entrepreneur, and author of Godly Ambition — for an honest conversation about faith, success, and purpose in today’s culture. Together they unpack what it means to pursue excellence without falling into pride, burnout, or worldly definitions of achievement.Ruslan shares insights from his book Godly Ambition, explaining how ambition, when surrendered to God, becomes a tool for building His Kingdom rather than our own. They discuss how technology and distraction are shaping a generation that’s both restless and apathetic — and how believers can rediscover motivation, work ethic, and balance through a biblical lens.Whether you’re a young professional, a parent, or someone seeking clarity about calling, this episode reminds us that true ambition is not about striving for success but serving with purpose.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter

Sponsor: Timothy Plan aligns your biblical values with your financial stewardship in a way that honors God. Click here to learn more!In this episode, Abby Johnson welcomes Richard Harris, Executive Director of Truth and Liberty and founder of Richard Harris Ministries. With decades of experience as both a minister of the gospel and an accomplished attorney, Richard shares his passion for equipping Christians to boldly engage the culture and live out their faith in every sphere of life.Abby and Richard discuss why so many believers struggle with timidity, the cultural pressures that silence Christian witness, and the urgent need for men to step into biblical leadership in their homes, churches, and communities. From addressing the feminization of the church to challenging the idea of a “secular-sacred divide,” this conversation is a call for Christians to live their faith out loud and without fear.If you’ve ever wrestled with how to live as a bold witness for Christ in today’s culture, this episode will both encourage and challenge you.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter

Sponsor: Timothy Plan aligns your biblical values with your financial stewardship in a way that honors God. Click here to learn more!This week on Politely Rude, Abby Johnson sits down with counselor and American Association of Christian Counselors Vice President Zach Clinton to talk about the mental health challenges facing our culture today. From rising rates of anxiety and depression to the struggles families face with identity and parenting in a confusing world, Zach shares both professional insight and biblical wisdom. Together, they unpack the importance of Christian counseling, attachment in parenting, and how faith provides a foundation for true healing and transformation.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter

Sponsor: Timothy Plan aligns your biblical values with your financial stewardship in a way that honors God. Click here to learn more!In this episode, Abby sits down with actress, author, and wellness advocate Tracy Melchior for a powerful conversation on health, healing, and detoxing life at home. From starring in hit soap operas and national commercials to facing debilitating health struggles, Tracy opens up about her journey of mysterious symptoms, misdiagnoses, and ultimately discovering the root of her condition. She shares how functional medicine and simple lifestyle changes—like removing toxins from everyday products—transformed her health and family life. Together, Abby and Tracy dive into the hidden dangers lurking in household cleaners, personal care products, and even laundry detergents, and they encourage listeners with practical steps to create safer homes. This conversation is both eye-opening and hopeful, reminding us that while we can’t control everything in the world, we can make choices that protect and bless our families.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter

Sponsor: Timothy Plan aligns your biblical values with your financial stewardship in a way that honors God. Click here to learn more!Abby Johnson sits down with former Special Forces Green Beret John Frankman, who left the military after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine on moral and religious grounds. John shares his journey from Catholic seminary to the battlefield, and from elite military service to political activism. They discuss the moral implications of vaccine mandates tied to aborted fetal cells, the lack of accountability in military leadership, and the broader cultural and political battle for life—from conception to natural death. With candid insight, John exposes the ideological purge within the armed forces, the urgent need for cultural change, and why protecting the unborn must remain at the heart of America’s future.FOLLOW ABBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA- Instagram- Facebook- Twitter