FAITH AND FREEDOM CHALLENGED IN WASHINGTON STATE

Chris Stepien, Catholic author and former ABC-TV journalist, joined the program to discuss his two biblical novels: Three Days: The Search for the Boy Messiah and Disciples of Doubt: A Journey with the Messiah’s Mother. Drawing from his Polish parents’ harrowing childhoods under Nazi occupation, Stepien described how real-life stories of suffering and perseverance shaped his passion for telling timeless tales of faith. He shared how his media background influenced his storytelling, why he wrote from the perspective of St. John, and what he learned about Jesus and Mary that resonates today. His work aims to help modern readers connect deeply with the humanity of the Holy Family.

Later, Jo Bogner, a returning Washington State correspondent, provided updates on controversial legal and cultural developments in the Pacific Northwest. She highlighted the battle over women’s privacy rights at the Olympus Spa in Lynnwood, where a judge ordered access for a transgender individual after a complaint to the state’s Human Rights Commission. Spa owner Sun Lee is preparing to take the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court, standing firm on his belief in the Bible, the Constitution, and women’s rights. Bogner also touched on the broader trend of anti-Christian sentiment in Washington politics, including Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s derogatory comments about a Christian concert and ongoing issues with lawlessness and religious freedom in the city.

The episode wrapped with a lighter segment exploring the surprising health and emotional benefits of having siblings—offering a humorous and heartwarming look at how family dynamics shape our resilience, social skills, and long-term well-being.