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

Real Moms, Real Jesus – Part 2

Published on:

Many Christians view Jesus as being completely God, but sometimes forget that He was also human. On today’s edition of Family Talk, Jill Savage shares why every mom can take comfort in the assurance that Jesus understands their exhaustion, disappointment, and vulnerabilities. Similar to how a mom has her sleep interrupted because her child is sick, when the disciples were startled by a great storm at sea, they woke Jesus after He had an exhausting day of ministry. Jill also explains to Dr. Dobson the need for people to define themselves by who Christ is, not what they may see or receive in other people. It’s also necessary for a mom to have a supportive and caring husband.

Read More
Broadcasts

Real Moms, Real Jesus – Part 1

Published on:

On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson is joined by author and speaker Jill Savage, who shares insights from her book, Real Moms…Real Jesus: Meet the Friend Who Understands. Together they discuss Jill’s fundamental precept—that Jesus can be a relatable, identifiable source of strength in every busy mom’s life. Between nursing your infant to having your toddler mistake you for a jungle gym, it’s normal to long for some personal space. For Jesus in His ministry, the pressure from the crowd became equally overwhelming. Similar to the need to establish boundaries to ensure some down time, Jesus stepped away from ministry to be alone and pray.

Read More
Broadcasts

The Role of Prayer in a Spiritual Awakening – Part 2

Published on:

The greatest hindrance to the advancement of the gospel is the attempt by the Church to do the work of God apart from the power of God. That’s the assessment of Pastor David Platt. He adds that maybe the biggest barrier to spreading the good news is not the self-indulgent immorality of our culture, but our self-sufficient mentality within the Body of Christ. On today’s edition of Family Talk, the pastor of McLean Bible Church explains that the primary purpose of prayer is not to get something, but to know God and to understand that He works through willing intercessors.

Read More
Policy & Culture

SCOTUS Leak that Roe Could be Overturned Rocks Nation

Published on:

Politico broke the shocking news that a leaked opinion by Justice Samuel Alito reveals the Supreme Court of the United States has tentatively voted to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

Read More
Broadcasts

The Role of Prayer in a Spiritual Awakening – Part 1

Published on:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." But according to David Platt, our church culture today is known for preaching, writing and passive listening, but not for prayer and fasting. Unless we take action, we are in danger of missing the whole point. On today’s edition of Family Talk, the pastor of McLean Bible Church in Washington D.C. shares the value of our prayers, in an address given at the 2019 National Day of Prayer. He explains how we see various characteristics of God when we fervently pray like Moses did in Exodus 32.

Read More
Blogs

What Is Better Than Being a Mom?

Published on:

Question: Dr. Dobson, what answer do you have for those who say being a mother of small children and stay-at-home mom is boring?

Read More
Newsletters

The Truth About Transgenderism

Published on:

Dr. Dobson's May 2022 Newsletter: The Truth About Transgenderism

Read More
Newsletters

A Critical Time for Prayer

Published on:

Dr. Dobson's April 2022 Newsletter: A Critical Time for Prayer

Read More
Videos

A Conversation with the Pro-Life Doc

Published on:

As the Supreme Court seems poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, Lord willing, it’s imperative for America’s Bible-believing pastors to preach Genesis 1:26, Jeremiah 1:5, and Psalm 139. On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. William Lile adds that the fight for life is not just a battle for God’s preborn, but a battle for the heart and soul of this nation. The “pro-life doc” points out that now is the time to be preparing the church and pro-life organizations for what’s to come. He points to the irony that Congress penalizes those who disturb the freshly laid eggs of endangered sea turtles on the beach with a $100,000 fine, while a woman can terminate her pregnancy in any trimester with no legal repercussions. Dr. Lile states that every Christian, like the biblical Esther, must be prepared to become a voice for the voiceless “for such a time as this.”

Listen to the full broadcast

Read More
Broadcasts

The Joys of Raising a Large Family Part 2

Published on:

Do you believe, as Psalm 127 declares, that children are a gift from God? If so, does that include allowing Him to determine the size of your family? On today's edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson continues his discussion with Randy and Marcia Hekman, who believe the fundamental truth that their 12 kids are God's children, even though they gave birth to them and raised them. Despite culture's casual approach to abortion and birth control, because God is sovereign, is it possible that He might want to bless the world with more Christ-following children through you?

Read More