Skip to content

Dr. James Dobson

Dr. James Dobson was the Founder Chairman of the James Dobson Family Institute, a nonprofit organization that produced his radio program, Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and held 18 honorary doctoral degrees. He also was the author of more than 70 books dedicated to the preservation of the family.

Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years, and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years in the divisions of child development and medical genetics.

He advised five U.S. presidents and served on eight national commissions.

Dr. Dobson was married to Shirley for just shy of 65 years, and he was the beloved father of two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and two grandchildren.

Content By Dr. James Dobson

Broadcasts

Rick Rigsby: The Wisdom of a Third Grade Dropout

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Parents have a crucial obligation and responsibility to impart wisdom and sound advice to their kids. On today’s edition of Family Talk, Rick Rigsby boldly declares that the best wisdom he received was from his father, who was a third grade dropout. Rick was told to show up an hour early, be kind to people and that if he did a job, then do it right. The advice of Rigsby’s father has stayed with Rick to this day.

Read More
Newsletters

What is Happening to America? Can We Stop It?

September 2022 Newsletter: What is Happening to America? Can We Stop It?

Read More
Broadcasts

Back from the Brink of Divorce – Part 2

To any outside observer, Larry Wright was a success. The Phoenix rock ‘n roll disc jockey had paid for an upscale home, nice cars, and provided a comfortable life for his wife, Sue, and their three kids. But on today’s edition of Family Talk, you’ll hear how Larry and Sue’s marriage almost ended in divorce. After Sue became a Christian, she exemplified 1 Peter 3:1, which challenges wives to win their husbands to Christ by their selfless conduct. Larry’s hardened heart was miraculously softened to God’s redemption, and the once-harsh disciplinarian was transformed into a loving father whose relationship with his children was restored.

Read More
Broadcasts

Back from the Brink of Divorce – Part 1

Larry Wright was a hard-charging radio announcer who made it to the top of his profession. However, he was a failure at home. On today’s edition of Family Talk, Larry confessed that he was not attentive to his wife, Sue. After she trusted Christ as her Savior, Larry’s heart was melted by her unconditional love. He eventually stopped trying to find purpose in his bank account and at the bottom of a bottle, and invited Jesus into his heart.

Read More
Broadcasts

Moms in Prayer – Part 2

If the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, how much more potent are the prayers of moms who gather to intercede on behalf of their children? On today’s edition of Family Talk, Fern Nichols and Sally Burke, the founder and president of Moms in Prayer International, continue sharing about their ministry, and urge mothers to walk through the four steps of prayer: praise, silent confession, thanksgiving, and intercession. Matthew 18:20 declares, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Read More
Broadcasts

Moms in Prayer – Part 1

In 1984, Fern Nichols was fearful about sending her two eldest children off to junior high. Realizing that the spiritual warfare would be intense, she asked another mother to pray with her for their kids' protection. That was the humble beginning of Moms in Prayer International, a ministry which now has groups in all 50 states and 140 countries worldwide. On today’s edition of Family Talk, Fern compares the efforts of the four friends in the book of Mark, chapter two, who opened a hole in the roof to get a paralyzed man to Jesus. With the heart behind Moms in Prayer, mothers have a similar desperation and determination to bring their children before Christ in prayer.

Read More
Broadcasts

God’s Direction in My Life Part 2

God doesn't speak audibly through a megaphone, but He does guide your life in a still, small voice. Guest retired police officer Bob Vernon encourages listeners to trust that God does indeed order your steps even when He doesn't seem to be moving noticeably.

Read More
Broadcasts

God’s Direction in My Life – Part 1

After Bob Vernon gave his life to Christ at the age of twelve, he aspired to discover God's will for his life. On today’s edition of Family Talk, he shares how the Lord revealed to him that he should not become an Air Force pilot, but a Los Angeles police officer instead. There were no angelic appearances or a thunderous heavenly voice from above. Rather, as Proverbs 19:21 proclaims, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Bob learned that the Lord’s will is made manifest through circumstances.

Read More
Broadcasts

Life with a Messy Mate – Part 2

On today’s edition of Family Talk, Sandra Felton, author of When You Live with a Messie, counsels against nagging your spouse about his or her messiness, but rather, take practical steps to help. This includes changing the house and your own approach to the messiness. Unless you proactively address these ongoing familial conflicts, these leaks can sink your family’s boat.

Read More
Broadcasts

Being Men of God in a Lost Culture – Part 2

According to Dr. Steve Farrar, America is in a moral free-fall. We are living off the spiritual capital of the past, but it's now coming to a halt. On today’s classic edition of Family Talk, Dr. Farrar says our country is in need of true revival. Much like the spiritual awakenings of the past, we need three things. An economic collapse to push us toward God, an outpouring of prayer, and the leadership of Christian men. Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

Read More