Best Hal Habecker Podcasts (2025)

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Episode S6E3: “Transitions in Life - How God Leads into the Retirement Seasons of life” 25:33

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3h ago25:33

25:33

Send us a text Dawn Pounell discusses her transition from a 30-year teaching career to retirement, emphasizing her identity as a child of Christ rather than her role as a teacher. Despite initial reluctance, she felt a divine appointment to return to teaching after staying home with her children. Over five years, she wrestled with the decision, ult…

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Special Series #10: Jahoiada - Bible Characters and How they Finished 15:59

7h ago15:59

15:59

Send us a text Jehoiada & Jehoshabeath: Faithful to the End The story of Jehoiada ("Joe") and Jehoshabeath ("Beth") demonstrates how elderly believers can have tremendous impact even in their final decades. Age 83 When evil Queen Athaliah destroyed the royal offspring to take the throne, "Joe" (about 83 years old) and "Beth" (around 80) rescued lit…

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S6E1: "Music, Worship, and the Heart of God: A Conversation with Leslie Blum" 28:43

4d ago28:43

28:43

Send us a text In the "Finishing Well" podcast, host Hal Habecker interviews LESLIE BLUM about the role of music in life and aging. Leslie shares her upbringing in a musical Christian home, where her father, a soloist, and her mother, a pianist, fostered her love for music. She discusses the emotional impact of music, citing major and minor chords …

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Special Series #9: Eli - Bible Characters and How they Finished 18:35

13d ago18:35

18:35

Send us a text Our story regarding Eli begins not with Eli but with God's judge who will succeed him. God's successor to Eli will be the great prophet/judge Samuel so we begin with his birth and background. Samuel's Birth Samuel was born out of a godly family (1 Samuel 1.1-2.11). Hannah prayed for a son and promised to dedicate him to the Lord. Eli…

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Special Series #8: David, Biblical Characters and How they Finished 19:45

19d ago19:45

19:45

Send us a text David was a man after God's own heart, and we all identify with him because of the way he lived his life. He was out there, you know, leading people making mistakes. I just just loving God passionately with his heart dancing before God. I mean, he was enjoying life with God. But there are a lot of lessons to learn from his life. I ha…

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Special Series #7: Joshua - Biblical Characters and How They Finished 16:47

28d ago16:47

16:47

Send us a text We meet Joshua first when he was selected as one of the 12 tribes to spy out the new land from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun (Numbers 13.8). Early Faith Joshua (along with Caleb) spoke with confidence about how God would take them into the promised land and defeat the enemies. He had great confidence in God who would be…

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Special Series #6: Gideon- Biblical Characters and How they Finished 16:27

1M ago16:27

16:27

Send us a text Don't get sidetracked as we finish, Gideon is faithful, but watch his story. It's fascinating to me. You know, we begin to see Gideon in Judges six, the angel visits him and gives him a sign where Gideon puts a sacrifice in the rock and the angel brings fire down and takes it all to heaven and gets his attention. He's not expecting G…

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Special Series #5: Joseph - Biblical Characters and How They Finished 26:45

1M ago26:45

26:45

Send us a text Israel loved Joseph more than all of his sons because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a very colored tunic. His brothers saw that his father loved him more than all of his other brothers, so they hated him and could not speak to him on faith. Friendly terms. How would you like that growing up in that kind of home where…

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Special Series #4: Naomi - Biblical Characters and How They Finish 16:01

2M ago16:01

16:01

Send us a text As I think about the life of Naomi and how she lived her later years, I cannot help but think of a principle that we learn in the Advent story 3 you cannot tell the end from the beginning. Apart from the Old Testament promises of the Messiah ad the angelic announcements of Messiah's birth, the majestic destiny of Jesus might never be…

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Special Series #3: Simon & Anna - Biblical Characters and How They Finish 15:44

2M ago15:44

15:44

Send us a text Simeon and Anna, two biblical figures who exemplify living well in old age. Simeon, described as righteous and devout, was anticipating the Messiah and was assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Lord's Christ. Upon meeting Jesus, he blessed God and was ready to die in peace. Anna, a widow for 84 years, dedi…

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SPECIAL SERIES #2: The Levites - Biblical Characters and How They Finish 20:40

2M ago20:40

20:40

Send us a text Hal Habecker discusses the biblical perspective on retirement, focusing on the Levites who retired at age 50 to serve in 48 cities across Israel. Despite the modern concept of retirement being less than a century old, Habecker emphasizes that the Bible addresses it implicitly. He highlights the Levites' post-retirement roles as pasto…

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SPECIAL SERIES: Finishing Well: A Study of Biblical Lives - Introduction 14:10

2M ago14:10

14:10

Send us a text This study explores the lives of several key biblical characters to examine how they finished their earthly journeys—whether in strength, struggle, or redemption. Hal Habecker introduces a series on aging and fulfilling God's purpose, emphasizing that aging is a meaningful part of God's plan. Hal argues that older people are a valuab…

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Episode S4E16: Friendship and Its Essential Qualities 35:16

4M ago35:16

35:16

Send us a text Randy Marshall and Hal Habecker discuss the importance of friendship, particularly in the aging years. They emphasize humility, adversity, and empathy as key traits of true friendship. Randy shares an analogy about finding one's life's purpose through the support of five close friends and the realization that life is brief, with an a…

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Episode S4E14: Guest: Ken Wilgus. “Being a Parent of Adult Children” 38:02

5M ago38:02

38:02

Send us a text As we age, living with and influencing our adult children is a huge theme in life. In this podcast, listen to Hal as he interviews well-known psychologist, Dr. Ken Wilgus about life with adult children. Ken has written an exceptional book entitled, Feeding the Mouth That Bites You, and while Ken’s book focuses on the adolescent years…

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Episode S4E15: Guest: Ken Wilgus. "Being a Grandparent of Older Grandchildren" 39:08

5M ago39:08

39:08

Send us a text Dr. Hal Habecker and Ken Wilgus discuss the importance of planned emancipation in parenting and grandparenting. They emphasize respecting adult children and grandchildren, avoiding overbearing advice, and fostering independent adulthood. Wilgus highlights the need for churches to involve older teenagers in mentoring and to support fa…

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Episode S4E13: A Finalist – Unlocking REAL Success in Life 34:04

5M ago34:04

34:04

Send us a text How does being a Finalist sound to you? Would this role involve significant change for you? If so, are you willing to try it? It may seem challenging, but the ‘win,’ the true success in life – will bring incalculable rewards beyond any of our imaginations. Remember that these podcasts are transcribed should you wish to read the detai…

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Episode S4E12: The Gift of Age: Discovering Spiritual Underpinnings of Servant- hearted Seniority 30:51

5M ago30:51

30:51

Send us a text Aging is a gift. Yet, many of us may not think that way. Typically, our culture speaks of aging in a negative way, and too often we ourselves think of aging in the same negative ways. God disagrees. Scripture speaks of aging positive ways. Listen to Randy thinking about aging as “A way journey to purpose, peace, and joy.” Support the…

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Episode S4E11: Vicki’s Story of Anna: Are We Willing to Change and Grow? 39:21

6M ago39:21

39:21

Send us a text Vicki Habecker tells her story about how God is working in her life in a completely unexpected way a new friend, Anna. Listen to her story and let’s listen to God for the new ways He might be calling us to follow Him. Support the show "Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to understand and embrace …

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Episode S4E10: Friendship in Our Aging years 35:07

6M ago35:07

35:07

Send us a text Rewarding friendships in our aging years are wonderful gifts from God. In this podcast we’ll explore this truth. I hope you will find it rewarding. Pass it on to others. Randy and I will follow with more friendship insights in future podcasts. When I think of rich friendships, my mind runs to a great quote from C.S. Lewis. Enjoy it. …

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Episode S4E9: Catch the Vision 33:36

7M ago33:36

33:36

Send us a text Is the 7 Essentials Curriculum Making a Difference?" Join Hal as he interviews David Windley about the impact the 7 Essentials is making in David's life and ministry as he leads a 4th Quarter ministry with EastWest Ministries in Dallas. I believe God wants to make an impact through the 7 Essentials in every place. David illustrates t…

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Episode S4E8: Finding Significance as We Age 40:16

7M ago40:16

40:16

Send us a text In this podcast, Hal and his wife, Vicki, talk about the importance of FINDING SIGNIFICANCE AS WE AGE They address these four questions: 1. What happens when you’re no longer a big deal? 2. What happens when you’re no longer the king pin? 3. What happens when you’re no longer the big kahuna? 4. What happens if the world is not waitin…

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Episode S4E7: Simple Relational Disciple Making 37:37

8M ago37:37

37:37

Send us a text In this episode, Hal interviews Jerry Wiles on the topic of remarkable book just published entitled, Simple Relational Disciple Making: Ancient Ways for Modern Times. It is a fascinating book that relates to sharing the Gospel and disciple-making, and how that mission should be part of our lives more and more as we age. This conversa…

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EPISODE S4E5: Happy New Year 17:15

8M ago17:15

17:15

Send us a text Leaning into a new year and all God has for us in it is a wonderful way to enter 2025. Listen to Hal as he shares his heart for God’s purposes in 2025 both personally for him and his family and for the work of Finishing Well Ministries. Support the show "Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to unde…

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Episode S4E6: How Do You Want to Live the Last 15 Years of Your Life? 24:46

8M ago24:46

24:46

Send us a text Welcome to the story of Hezekiah. God gave Hezekiah 15 more years to live. Wouldn’t you like to learn from him how to finish well or how not to finish well? Let’s learn from his fascinating story. It is recorded in 2 Kings 18-20; 2 Chronicles 29.1-33; and Isaiah 36-39. Support the show "Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and…

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Episode S4E4: Brain Health and Living Well 43:02

10M ago43:02

43:02

Send us a text A few weeks ago we met Jerry Wiles, a choice servant of God who is making a significant contribution for the cause of Christ in encouraging Christians to age well for the sake of the Gospel. In today’s podcast Jerry will address the important of brain health and how it applies to us in living well and finishing well. Listen well to h…

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Special Episode: Hal's Appearance on the podcast series Saving Grace 28:37

11M ago28:37

28:37

Send us a text Last month I had the privilege of being a guest on ‘Saving Grace Podcast,’ a regular podcast produced by Grace School of Theology, Houston, Texas. My interviewer was a good friend, Tracy Marshall, a fellow church member where we attend. It was a great opportunity to share the work of Finishing Well Ministries with their network and t…

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Episode S4E2 (134): Seeing Opportunity in Retirement with Dr. Tom Watson 32:38

11M ago32:38

32:38

Send us a text Hal Habecker interviews Tom Watson, a longtime friend, about his life journey and transition into retirement. Tom shares his upbringing in Pampa, Texas, his education in agriculture and biology, and his career as an anesthesiologist in Texarkana. He discusses the challenges of aging, the decision to retire, and the move back to Dalla…

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Episode S4E3 (135): “Aging, Brain Health, and for the Sake of the Gospel” with Jerry Wiles 33:24

11M ago33:24

33:24

Send us a text In today’s podcast, we will meet Jerry Wiles, a choice servant of God who is making a significant contribution to the cause of Christ in encouraging Christians to age well for the sake of the Gospel. Listen well to his story, learn through his life challenges, and take notes on his wisdom about finishing well. Learn more about him at…

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Episode S4E1 (133): Daughters, Mothers, and Dementia 1:19:11

12M ago1:19:11

1:19:11

Send us a text Losing a loved one to dementia is an all-encompassing grief - it affects you physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Listen today as Hal’s wife Vicki interviews 2 of her closest friends, Dawn Pownell and Mary Yarbrough. The 3 of them will share honest yet heart-warming stories (be prepared to laugh and maybe shed a tear o…

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Episode S3E28(132): Having a Vision of How God Uses Us in Our Aging Years in the Most Ordinary of Ways 38:59

1y ago38:59

38:59

Send us a text As Hal interviews John Sparks, John shares his story of how God is using him to encourage others in his neighborhood with a simple vison and a dog. It’s a fascinating story, and the journey continues. John’s story will encourage you and perhaps bring fresh insights as to how God wants to use each of us – with the simplest of ways bec…

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Episode S3E27 (131): Anticipating the Coming Silver Tsunami and What It Means for FWM 27:19

1y ago27:19

27:19

Send us a text By the year 2060, over 95 million people in America will be over 65. That’s an increase of over 30+ million in just 36 years – by then 1 in 4 people will be over 65. How is FWM making a difference? How does God call us and the church to prepare for this population change? Let’s make a difference by being older people committed to God…

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Episode S3E26 (130): Preparing for and Anticipating the Uncertainties of Life 27:35

1y ago27:35

27:35

Send us a text Life has lots of interruptions and uncertainties. They may be as simple as too many red lights when one is in a hurry, and they may be as profound and life-changing as an unexpected illness or even death. We can also expect that the longer we live these uncertainties of life may even become more frequent for ourselves or with family …

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Episode S3E25: Churches - Memories and Mortar 26:31

1y ago26:31

26:31

Send us a text The destructive fire of the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Dallas, started Hal & Vicki thinking about their memories of churches that God used in their lives. This historic church is what God used to launch them into ministry. Perhaps this podcast will jog some thoughts in your heart about the churches that have been a p…

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Episode S3E23 (127): Hal’s Story – My Bike Wreck and “I’m Back” 22:08

1y ago22:08

22:08

Send us a text Seven weeks ago Hal had a serious bike wreck and needed surgery. In this new podcast listen to Hal share the story of his bike wreck and recovery. He is back on his feet now and pressing on again in serving God and Finishing Well Ministries. Life can bring many kinds of unanticipated events that will sideline us, but God is good, and…

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Episode S3E24(128): Vicki’s Story of Changing Lanes 21:22

1y ago21:22

21:22

Send us a text In today’s podcast, Hal’s wife, Vicki, shares her story about having to “change lanes” in life. Using the metaphor of a freeway, she shares her story about changes God has for her, changing to a different lane, and even getting off the freeway and onto a service road. Changes in life are not easy at times, but God uses them for His p…

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Episode S3E21(125): Expanding Horizons - Finishing Well, pt.1 30:02

1+ y ago30:02

30:02

Send us a text Randy interviews guest Brian Davis, a technology expert and church ministry leader, discussing several key aspects of finishing well, such as how the podcast world is changing, and how we at FWM are responding. Our new arrangements that Brian helped us set up are able to vastly expand our impact and reach as we try to make the FWM me…

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Episode S3E22(126): Expanding Horizons - Finishing Well, pt.2 29:25

1+ y ago29:25

29:25

Send us a text Randy interviews guest Brian Davis, a technology expert and church ministry leader, discussing several key aspects of finishing well, such as how the podcast world is changing, and how we at FWM are responding. Our new arrangements that Brian helped us set up are able to vastly expand our impact and reach as we try to make the FWM me…

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Episode S3E19 (123): Prodigals – What’s a Parent to Do? 30:08

1+ y ago30:08

30:08

Send us a text “While the 4th Essential deals with investing in generations that follow us, we discover that there are choices younger people may make that are contrary to their parents’ values. While independence from parents is expected and planned (we raise our kids for independence), sometimes younger people outwardly reject the values of churc…

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Episode S3E20(124): Hal, Randy and FWM - who, what and why? A synopsis. 17:14

1+ y ago17:14

17:14

Send us a text Randy is a founding board member of Finishing Well Ministries and cohost of this podcast. After nine years with us, he shares his perspective on the ministry in his own words and where he sees it going. Join us for an exciting and candid conversation with Randy Hess. Support the show "Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and i…

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Episode S2E17 (122): Happiness and Laughter 29:32

1+ y ago29:32

29:32

Send us a text In this podcast Hal & his wife, Vicki, team up to share insights and encouragement concerning the importance of happiness and laughter in the continued journey of aging and finishing well. There may be reasons to be discouraged - health problems, family problems, world problems, emotional challenges, spiritual challenges, disappointm…

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Episode S3E16 (120): Retiring Well 27:37

1+ y ago27:37

27:37

Send us a text Whether it is preparing and thinking ahead for retirement or when we retire, what does it take to develop a “Finishing Well mindset? What happens when we “retire?” How do we explore the challenges and advantages of discovering how to live with a “Finishing Well” mindset? Support the show "Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage a…

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Episode S3E17(121): Building a "Toolbox" for Finishing Well 27:26

1+ y ago27:26

27:26

Send us a text In this new podcast Hal and Randy suggest some attitude and behavior tools to build your own resource toolbox in Finishing Well. It all starts with our own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and grows out of life in and through Him. Support the show "Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to und…

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Episode S3E14 (118): Parenting your Adult Kids, pt. 1 26:43

1+ y ago26:43

26:43

Send us a text In the first part of our two-segment series, we dive deep into the evolving role of parenting as our children reach adulthood. We explore questions like "Are we still parents, and if so, how?" and consider the importance of understanding who our adult children have become, beyond who they were in their teenage years. Join us as we di…

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Episode S3E15 (119): Parenting your Adult Kids, pt. 2 28:36

1+ y ago28:36

28:36

Send us a text Part two of our series focuses on the nuances of offering advice to adult children and the potential pitfalls that can drive a wedge in these relationships. We examine the importance of leading with love, finding a balance between truth-telling and graciousness, and the crucial role of listening and supporting rather than assuming th…

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Episode S3E13 (117): “Thinking Together about Pain” 30:38

1+ y ago30:38

30:38

Send us a text Hal Habecker, together with his wife, Vicki, share their insights on pain and living with pain. Someone has said that pain is the gift no one wants. But God has His purposes in our pain. Vicki and Hal share a bit of their own journey through the ups and downs of pain in their lives along with things God is teaching them. Support the …

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Episode S3E11 (115): Knowing Your Sphere of Influence 27:31

1+ y ago27:31

27:31

Send us a text There are any number of spheres through which God can use us to make a difference in His kingdom. We can envision this truth through a series of concentric circles – begin with knowing yourself and discover anew how God is calling and leading you to serve and encourage other in the following areas of life - spouse, family, friends an…

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Episode S3E12 (116): Learning to Let Go in the Aging Years 25:33

1+ y ago25:33

25:33

Send us a text There are so many things to think about in the topic of “Aging.” We want to address one of those aspects today – the aspect of “Letting go.” Aging teaches us know what it means to let go – “letting go” is a new season of learning – aging teaches us about limits – life changes - churches ought to have active plans to be with and encou…

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Episode E7S3 (111): The 2nd Essential: We will Connect with others. 23:18

2y ago23:18

23:18

Send us a text The 2nd Essential is “Being Connected.” We will CONNECT – we will not live alone – we will continue to build strong friendships – we will stay connected and encourage each other. Friendships make all the difference. While the aging process often leads to isolation and greater loneliness, staying connect with growing friendships makes…

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Episode E8S3: The 1st Essential: We will continue to grow spiritually 29:52

2y ago29:52

29:52

Send us a text Our 1st of the 7 Essentials is GROWTH. We Will GROW – we will not stay the same. Growth is the underpinning of nearly everything in life. Growth is always life-giving. If we are not growing we are not life-giving. Hal and Randy explore the value of Growth in all of life. “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t…

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Episode E9S3: Thinking Outloud about Grief at Christmas 28:00

2y ago28:00

28:00

Send us a text Grief may often be a part of the Christmas season. The loss of a spouse, a family member, the disappointments and loss of friends and relationships, illnesses, hospitalizations, and other various life changes will detract from the joy of the season. Grief is real and is a part of life (Ecclesiastes 3.4). Even if the grief is not your…