Show overview
Spotlight has been publishing since 2020, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 306 episodes. That works out to roughly 150 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 24 min and 34 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Kids & Family show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 days ago, with 18 episodes already out so far this year.
From the publisher
The Illinois Family Spotlight highlights specific cultural or political issues which our listeners need to be aware of. Our discussions are informed by a biblical worldview that helps expose the lies and distortions promulgated within secular culture. We interview policy experts and scholars whose knowledge and insights help listeners form a wiser worldview.
Latest Episodes
View all 306 episodesWhy a Black Conservative Woman Is Challenging Illinois’ Political Status Quo (IFS #477)
Investigation Specialist Analyzes How Illinois is Taking Control Away From Parents (IFS #476)
Empowering Women: The Mission of Pregnancy Centers (IFS #475)
The Shocking Truth: What Illinois’ Latest Mental Health Bill Means For Your Children’s Future (IFS #474)
The Fight For Your Kids’ Mind: HB 4966 (IFS #473)
From Slumber to Revival: The 50-Day Prayer Movement That Could Reshape Illinois (IFS #472)
“Will My Muslim Neighbor Turn Against Me?” | The Truth About Jihad With Annie Cyrus (IFS #471)
Aynaz “Anni” Cyrus is an Iranian-American investigative author and national security voice focused on the ideological and psychological strategies of Islamism and political Islam in the West. Her work examines how movements, institutions, and state actors deploy religious doctrine, narrative warfare, and moral inversion to influence Western policy, culture, and security. In this episode she talks with Jenna Smith of IFI about the war in her homeland, Iran, the threat of radicalized muslim sleeper cells, and her latest work: “The Architecture of Jihad” which you can purchase now on Amazon!… Continue Reading
The Hidden Crisis of Surrogacy and Child Trafficking | Katy Faust (IFS #470)
Katy Faust is founder of Them Before Us, a foundation with one goal in mind: to protect the right of a child to their mother and father. She joins Dave Smith and Alyssa Sonnenburg on Spotlight for this episode regarding her new campaign, titled Greater Than. This is an episode you do not want to miss. For decades, science shows children do better when raised by their married mom and dad — a safe, low-conflict home that nurtures development and trust.… Continue Reading
How Alliance Family Services Saves Lives (IFS #469)
“Every baby made in the image of God irritates the devil” This podcast features Elaine Demoulos and Angela from Alliance Family Services discussing their pro-life work, the importance of holistic care, and how community support can make a difference in saving lives. … Continue Reading
The Voice of Illinois Family Institute: an Interim Word with Monte Larrick (IFS #468)
In this special edition of IFI, we turn the Spotlight on our longtime host, Monte Larrick. Monte Larrick was Illinois Family Institute’s Media Director for over a decade, informing our constituents on Illinois topics with clear, concise and unique angles. He shares some untold stories of his longtime career covering politics for Moody radio.… Continue Reading
Transgenderism Introduced as a Mental Illness: Should Christians Support? | Special Guest Dr. Greg Gifford (IFS #467)
When we have laws in the U.S. that promote a biblical worldview, we vote for them. . . the policies are an overflow of what the Bible says, whether they pass or not – the truth is still the truth. ~ Dr. Greg Gifford Alyssa Sonnenburg and Jenna Smith host today’s episode with a special guest on what should the Christian response be to SB 4832, which would define “transgenderism” as a mental illness under Illinois’ Health Code.… Continue Reading
Protecting Minors from Mental Illness: Illinois Bills Against Transgenderism (IFS #466)
We don’t want doctors and administrators profiting off of the destruction of a young child. ~ State Senator Andrew Chesney Spotlight host David Smith talks to two Illinois General Assembly members on legislation they have introduced to protect children against being mutilated by hospitals or prevented from receiving mental health treatment. State Representative Bill Hauter, M.D. — the only medical doctor serving in the Illinois General Assembly — has introduced HB 4482 to prohibit gender-transition medical procedures on children.… Continue Reading
SB 3572: Illinois Pastors Stepping Up (IFS #465)
Women are currently being told by the law that it is okay to kill their babies. That is unjust. We want to inform peoples’ conscience with a just law. God is very clear: you shall not murder. That applies to all human beings. ~ Pastor Johnson Michael Johnson is pastor of Grace Redeemer Church in Winfield, IL. Caesar LeFlore is pastor of Spirit of Liberty Church of God in Markham, IL.… Continue Reading
Illinois Pastors Speak Up About The Equal Protection Act (IFS #464)
If the church remains silent, you do not have a polity, a people, a citizentry that is informed by the word of God. . .the church must speak the truth in love, not with arrogance, going back to the gospel of Christ saying there is a God in heaven who will forgive you, who will gladly reconcile you to Himself. In this episode of Spotlight, David Smith talks with two Illinois pastors about SB 3572, a bill that will abolish abortion in the Land of Lincoln.… Continue Reading
The Reality of Abortion in Illinois: an Abolition Bill Coming Soon? (IFS #463)
State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Aledo) has informed us that he will be introducing legislation in Springfield to abolish abortion in Illinois. Not limit it, not cap it, abolish it. In this episode, David E. Smith hosts Alyssa Sonnenburg and Jenna Smith to discuss the reality of abortion in the state of Illinois and how likely it will be to push through a bill to criminalize abortion in a Democrat super-majority General Assembly. Not only did the Land of Lincoln kill the most amount of babies in 2024, but medical practitioners whose medical license have been revoked in other states can become abortionists in IL, the death of a woman does not to be reported to a coroner if it occurs during an abortion procedure, minors can undergo invasive abortion surgery without the knowledge or consent of their parents, and much worse.… Continue Reading
Men & Women Are Different | Riley Gaines Barker At IFI’s 2025 Banquet (IFS #462)
Riley Gaines Barker is a 12x all-American collegiate swimmer, praised by President Trump for leading the fight for fairness, safetey & the protection of women in women’s sports. Riley’s life was drastically changed when the NCAA a biological male to compete against her and was allowed to dress and undress in her locker rooms. Riley refused to stay quiet about it, and remained firm throughout the hate, vitriol and consequences. Now she is a celebrated hero for protecting girls and fighting for the right to have womens’ sports remain only for women.… Continue Reading
When the State Becomes God, Then What? (IFS #461)
Dr. Erwin Lutzer, pastor emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago, took questions from the audience at an IFI Forum in 2019, and his answers still hold value for Christians troubled by the state of the culture over 6 years later. Get Dr. Lutzer’s book “The Church in Babylon” here!    … Continue Reading
Why Only Americans Should Participate in U.S. Elections (IFS #460)
This is a two-for-one episode! In the first segment, we hear from JennyBeth Martin from the Only Citzens Vote Coalition on why only Americans should participate in American elections. In the second segment, we hear from Larry Elder on the importance of the film Uncle Tom II… Continue Reading
Political Involvement is a Nonnegotiable For Christians? | Dr. Frank Turek (IFS #459)
Remarks from Dr. Frank Turek is the episode for today’s Spotlight. Dr. Turek is the author of “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” and is host of the podcast of the same title. He is president of CrossExamined, an apologetics ministry, and he spoke at IFI’s 2017 worldview conference on why Christians need to be involved in politics. To attend IFI’s upcoming worldview conference, register by clicking here!… Continue Reading
The Success Sequence to Save Gen Z (IFS #458)
In this episode, we are highlighting a presentation given at IFI’s 2025 annual Worldview Conference, which was held at Belmont Bible Church in Downers Grove. Scott Phelps, head of the Abstinence and Marriage Partnership organization, shares the Success Sequence program with the audience in the first half of the program, and in the second, demonstrates how the sex education programs in government schools codify the sexual revolution to the detriment of America.   Attend IFI’s 2026 Worldview Conference by registering here!… Continue Reading