Here, at www.choicesradio.com Teen Talk Radio, it's all about choices! Big or small, major or minor, there's a moment before every decision when you can alter the course of your life. Dive in with me on topics like peer pressure, dating, purity, drugs, alcohol, modesty, popularity, your future, and many other things that might come up along the way.

They tell me I'm a youth culture expert because I write and speak to pre-teens, teens, and parents about how to prepare for life's tough choices. I've written six books, been published over 200 times in devotional books, will see eleven more books release in the next year, and been interviewed on numerous radio stations as well as television--maybe that all does makes me an expert of some sort. I suppose being a mom of six, including toddler triplets, and working as a youth director, a Bible study leader for women and teens, a counselor at a crisis pregnancy center and serving as camp counselor for over a decade might qualify me in some ways, too.

But, it's the memory of my own teen years (yes, I can remember that far back) that has created a passion within me to reach out to teens and help them muddle through the confusion and pressure that life throws at them…at you! Hang out with me; let's figure it out together. I promise I won't preach at you--well, I'll try really hard not to!

Want some free stuff? Sometimes me or my guests will have giveaways, too. Gotta tune in to find out! You can also subscribe to Teen Talk Radio free on iTunes!

Nicole O'Dell, Choose NOW Ministries, ...battling peer pressure by tackling the tough issues

This week on Teen Talk: Bethany Jett and Ginger Garrett

Getting us started on Parent Talk this week is Bethany Jett! Bethany Jett write the On Friendship and the On Dating columns for Choose NOW Ministries. So who better to talk abou this issue? She has some great insight into BFF and Boyfriends. Boyfriends will come and go, but a bff will do life with you! Join us to hear Bethany's story and her advice to you as you navigate these important relationships.

With five years of "youth sponsor interning" under her belt by the age of 21,Bethany Jett knew God’s purpose involved working with young adults. She taught abstinence education (RESPECT) in high school, and began youth sponsoring at 17. Five months after winning the Florida Christian Writers Conference 2012 Writer of the Year award, Bethany Jett signed contracts with the MacGregor Literary Agency and Regal Publishing. Her debut book, The Cinderella Rule, hits bookstores in April of 2013. She is her husband’s greatest asset in their youth ministry, mentoring teens and young adults. Bethany is a writer and speaker, as well as Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, cheerleading coach, and mother of three adorable little boys.   

Next up, Ginger Garrett

From the moment her marriage to prince Ahab thrusts her into the intrigues of palace life, Jezebel’s exotic beauty opens doors and her will breaks down walls. Torn from her homeland and wed to power in a strange country, Jezebel vows to create a legacy and power all her own. Some might call her a manipulative schemer, bent on having her way. But they don’t know the whole story, and she was much, much worse

As she moves through the halls of power, her heart struggles between devotion to the gods she worships, the prince who loves her, and her thirst for revenge. She sparks a battle between her strangely powerless gods and the God of palace administrator Obadiah—a God who confronts her with surprising might. She will fight, though victory may cost her everythin

Ginger Garrett is the author of the Chronicles of the Scribes series (In the Shadow of Lions, In the Arms of Immortals, In the Eyes of Eternity), Dark Hour, and Beauty Secrets of the Bible. Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA.

Choose NOW Radio airs Fridays LIVE from 10-11 EST at www.toginet.com!

Or you can come back here for the podcast, or subscribe on iTunes for FREE to Parent Talk or Teen Talk.

This week on Teen Talk, Tricia Goyer and Nicole O'Dell on Teen Pregnancy

Tricia Goyer has written more than thirty-five books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and non- fiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts,Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine. And, Tricia writes the On Teen Pregnancy column for Choose NOW Ministries!

This week on Teen Talk, Tricia and I will be chatting about the good choices teen moms and teen moms-to-be can and do make. It's important that you recognize the good and let it empower you to continue in those good choices.  

Then, Erynn Mangum with Paige Torn

About the Author

Erynn Mangum is the author of the popular Lauren Holbrook (Miss Match, ReMatch, and Match Point) and Maya Davis (Cool Beans, Latte Daze, and Double Shot) series of books and the recent novel Sketchy Behavior. Her writing can also be found on her personal blog and on Scribble Chicks, a blog for young writers. To find out more about Erynn, go to www.erynnmangum.com.

Choose NOW Radio

Fridays LIVE from 9-10 CST at www.toginet.com!

Or you can come back here for the podcast,

or subscribe on iTunes for FREE to Parent Talk or Teen Talk.

On Teen Talk, we're opening with Bethany Jett!

Bethany Jett, Choose NOW Ministries columnist for the On Dating and a On Friendships columns, has just released her new book, The Cinderella Rule! If you're of dating age (or you're parenting someone who is) you need this book!!

Discover the rewards in store for those who patiently wait on the Lord for His purpose and plan.

Our world glorifies teen pregnancy, premarital sex and the role of domineering females. Girls are sexting, experimenting and initiating relationships. For young women this world is not only perilous, but deeply frustrating and disappointing.  

The Cinderella Rule encourages young women to understand that God created them to be His crowning achievement and teaches them to insist that the guys in their life treat them as such. While it is fun to be pursued, readers will take an in-depth look at how young women should act when the guy worth pursuing them shows up.

When young women understand who God created them to be, they understand more fully the confidence they need to set higher standards for themselves as well as the wonderful rewards in store for those who patiently wait on the Lord for His purpose and plan.  

   

And closing out the Teen Talk show, I'll welcome Nikki Arana who just won the 2013 ECPA Christian Book Award for fiction!

Author and speaker Nikki Arana bravely deals with one of the most relevant issues facing believers today— sharing their Christian faith both with and in spite of the quickly growing Muslim population in America. Through her ministry, A Voice for the Persecuted, Arana has been reaching out to people persecuted for their faith for many years.

In her first suspense novel, Arana looks at some of the most difficult security issues Americans face, from full-blown terrorism to the dangers of a Christian sharing his or her faith with the wrong person.

In The Next Target, Austia has a busy outreach to American Muslims, teaching them to speak English, assisting with job placement, and helping them navigate American culture. As least that’s how it looks. Underneath this politically correct structure, Austia has another, more important mission. She works diligently to win Muslims to Christ.

When her friend and student is murdered, Austia finds her mission threatened. Radical Muslim extremists are targeting her ministry, the women she serves, and even her very life. As the number of those in whom she can confide dwindles, Austia begins to wonder if there is anyone she can trust. Will she be able to elude those who are dead set on eliminating their next target?

Author and speaker Nikki Arana has received numerous awards for her writing, including the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year award and Christianbook.com Top 20 Novel of the Year for The Winds of Sonoma. And just this past week, the 2013 ECPA award for fiction. Through her ministry, A Voice for the Persecuted, she inspires hearts toward evangelizing the Muslim community. Learn more about at her outreach at avoiceforthepersecuted.com and discover more about Arana at nikkiarana.com.  

Choose NOW Radio airs Fridays LIVE from 10-11 EST at www.toginet.com!

Or you can ome back here for the podcast, or subscribe on iTunes for FREE to Parent Talk or Teen Talk.

This week on Parent Talk (10:00), Cara Putman and Nicole O'Dell on Being Supermom

Cara Putman is the Choose NOW Ministries columnist on the issue of Doing it All. Why do we do this to ourselves as parents? Whose standards are we trying to live up to? Will we ever feel like we've met the expectations society has for us? Is there a better way? Hear from the Do-It-All Mom herself, Cara Putman. Cara is an attorney, author, professor, work-at-home-mom, homeschooler, laundress, cook, shopper, etc. She definitely does…it…all! Cara and I will look at those things and more as we dive into this issue headfirst. You ready? I know I am! (Spoken like a true supermom!)

And, Nicole O'Dell on dealing with Tragedy

In the second segment of Parent Talk this week, I'll be looking at what we need to do as parents to help our teens and tweens deal with tragedy and the fear it can cause. Events like the Newtown shootings, the Boston Marathon bombings, the attacks on the World Trade Center...they are real, and increasingly common events, and without the right context, they can elicit feelings of fear and unrest. We have comfort in the Gospel, and we know how the story ends. But it's hard to convey that to a confused teenager. Tune in as Nicole O'Dell offers five specific things you can do to help your kids with this issue.  

This week on Teen Talk (10:30), Gina Conroy and Nicole O'Dell on Dreaming Big

What are your wildest dreams? Does a dream equate to a calling from God? How can you tell the difference, and how can you make it happen? What is a dream detour and how can we cope with them?

Gina Conroy focuses on dreaming big and she’ll help you chase hard after those deep, heart desires that burn within you. And for those of you who haven’t quite figured out what your passions are just yet, Gina will help you do just that. Is okay to dream big–but it’s even better to put one foot in front of the other in hot pursuit of those dreams!

Then, Nicole O'Dell on dealing with Tragedy

In the second segment, I'm going to talk about tragedy. What you, as teens, can do about those tough things that happen in life. Death. Destruction. Terrorism. Loss. So many things that cause heartache and confusion. But there are answers! Tune in to find out what they are!

Choose NOW Radio airs Fridays LIVE from 10-11 EST at www.toginet.com!

Or you ccan ome back here for the podcast, or subscribe on iTunes for FREE to Parent Talk or Teen Talk.

This week on Parent Talk, John Robinson, the last days

John Robinson is going to tell us when Jesus is coming back for the church! Okay, not quite. But maybe he'll get close. Tune in to find out. This would be a great opportunity to get ready for the tough questions your kids are going to ask you about this subject! It may just change the way you look at the world, and the final seconds we're in.

The Bible makes it clear no one knows the day or the hour of Christ's return. But it doesn't say we won't know the month. Or the week. When every Christian simultaneously receives a message that Christ will return sometime in the next seven days, the world is thrown into stark panic. Two old friends, hardened combat veterans from the closing days of the Vietnam War, set out on a suspenseful quest to redeem that time. What they can't know is they and their entire church have been targeted for satanic annihilation.

Bestselling author Robert Liparulo, author of the Dreamhouse Kings Series, said, "Forget everything you think you know about apocalyptic thrillers. This one will enthrall you and force you to rethink what it means to be brave, to BELIEVE."

Award winning author Nancy Mehl, author of the Ivy Towers Mystery Series, said, "Robinson delivers one of the most powerful 'end of days' novels ever written. Highly recommended!" And Eric Wiggin, author of Blood Moon Rising, said, "Heading Home is the flip side of Left Behind--on steroids."  

And on Teen Talk, Laura L. Smith, on True Beauty

Laura L. Smith, author of the On True Beauty column here at Choose NOW Ministries is my guest. We'll be talking about true beauty, positive self-talk, and what it means to have a beauty playlist. Laura's got some great insights into learning how to see yourself as your heavenly Father sees you...and why that's enough.

She'll share info with you about her new releases from PlaylistFiction.com and, as a special thank you just for you lovelies here at Choose NOW Ministries, if you click the image below and use the promo code YV95F by April 26th to get book one, It's Complicated, for $3.99, on any e-reader device. Then, be sure to pick up new release, It's Over!

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Choose NOW Radio airs Fridays LIVE from 10-11 EST at www.toginet.com!

Or you ccan ome back here for the podcast, or subscribe on iTunes for FREE to Parent Talk or Teen Talk.