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The Official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast

Hosted By:
Bob Smithouser & Jesse Florea

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FREE EPISODE: “House Guest,” a Focus on the Family drama from 1985.

Merry Christmas! “House Guest,” one of the early dramas Focus produced, was a sequel to the first drama ever (“Spare Tire”) It was also the first to feature Hal Smith who would, of course, became the first voice of John Avery Whittaker. Hear this drama that helped lay the foundation for Adventures in Odyssey.

Podcast links:

Hal Smith, voice of the Mr. Whittaker from 1987-1994
Hal Smith, voice of the Mr. Whittaker from 1987-1994

311 Responses

  26. I love all of the adventures you all have put out so much. Sometimes it really moves me
    Thank you for doing what you do may God bless everyone

    1. My dad is dying with cancer. I find myself trying too hard to be the “good daughter”,so this really touched me. Thank you. Happy New Year and God bless.

  35. Not first! 😀 Happy New year everybody! I sure hope that 2021 turns out better than 2020 did, haha! 2021: *slowly evil grins*

    1. Ha ha. Me too! Hope I can spend more time with friends than I did in 2020! And Happy Late New Year to everyone! I stayed up to 3 a.m. on New Year’s Eve! 🙂

  50. and also, I feel like every time I start to get to know people on one page, a new podcast comes out!!

    2. Yes! I wish people wouldn’t say stuff like “First” or “Hi.” I wish people would post about Bible verses and theological issues.
      😁
      BTW It is good to “see” you, but I haven’t seen a.v. at all in this podcast.

      1. That’s actually a great idea! I’ll do that in the next podcast. Maybe if others see enough people do it, then everyone will start doing it!

        1. Theological:

          Relating to the study of theology, which is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries.

  53. We’ve enjoyed adventures in odyssey sense our kids were little. They are now grown and we still listen to a episode at night before bed. They help you relax after a busy day.

  71. I have a question. Does focus at home still work for you all, or did they take down the site? I was listening to the young whit thing that Dave Arnold reads, and the site is gone! Anyway, if it is working for you plz tell me lol

    1. I was wondering about Focus at Home, too. I can still access the website but when I click on any of the episodes it redirects me to the aio website. I get email updates about it, but didn’t receive anything recently saying it was stopping.

  76. Ha ha. That happened to me too. I thought I was first when I posted my first comment, because I didn’t see any other comments, but then I saw that they have to process all the comments and approve them. 🙂 This is the first podcast I’ve commented on!

  78. I honestly never listened to any AiO episodes as seriously as I did “Living in the Gray” part 1 and 2. It just really related to me, and I hope I can do the right thing soon…

  79. Does anyone else want this to be an artist page? ( doodle/sketch /paint/watercolor ) we can share tips and tricks and stuff.LMK

  80. 🎨✏️🖍🖌 fellow artists! Is anyone doing any art challenge this year? I am doing something where you paint something different each day of the year. Having so much fun !!!

    1. Hey! I LOVE art, and I am doing something similar. I am doing something where you draw a something each day of the month. I also just started bullet journaling this year and it is soooo fun!

    2. Ikr! My sister is OBSESSED with Mitch. I asked her what she would do if he and Connie didn’t get married, and she then, “if they don’t get married…. I WILL MARRY MITCH!!!” 😂

      3. hi Lydia Elisabeth
        i love it to 🙂

        and Rachel,
        that is sooooo funny!!!!!!!!!!
        i told my little brother he laughed so hard!!!!!!!!

  85. i have a joke: I listen to Odyssey in an Odyssey going to an Odyssey! if anyone can figure this out, Please reply! i will write the answer later.

      1. Lydia Elizabeth: Close, i listen to Odyssey in an Honda Odyssey going to an Adventure. because you know anything could happen if you’re driving. and Odyssey means Adventure.

  86. Eliza: i used to have a friend at my old school and she had a dad who was Muslim, a Mom who was Christian, a Sister who was Mormon and she was a christian.

  88. Hey Eliza, I have had people make fun of me before, and I know that nothing I can say will make it better but am going to say anyway that I think red hair is gorgeous. I actually would prefer red hair to my brown hair.
    And God put you in that class for a reason, maybe to make an Christian influence. It’s never easy to make an influence but…

  89. …remember that it’s only your job to tell others about God and salvation (see comment above by Verse nerd) and let God work in their hearts.
    And believe me I know how hard it is to tell others about my faith. I have kids on my street who are unsaved so believe me I TOTALLY get it.

  90. Today’s quote of randomness: “We came to rescue you!” “Good job.”

    What and who are they from?

    1. I know that one Anakin says that to Obi-Wan Kenobi, but I don’t remember the title of it. ( I know this because I was watching Star Wars while making my card for my parents anniversary.)

  91. Hello everyone, just a quick reminder that our posting guidelines only allow you to use one user name when posting on this site. Have a wonderful day!

  92. My goodness! I used to be so on top of the comments and the commenters, but now I don’t know most of you! I just want to say welcome to all of you new people. We have a writers page set up if any of you are interested. It is the April 22, 2020 podcast page. I can’t figure out how to post links. :-/ I just posted a lesson there today!

  101. 🎨🖌✏️HI EVERYONE! WELCOME TO THE ART PAGE🖍✏️🎨
    Here we will share tips tricks and challenges for any one who enjoys art.
    TIP: this year set a challenge for yourself and something new. January is not yet over so it’s not to late to set a goal. Experiment , try something new, AND HAVE FUN! Maybe try something a bit outside your comfort zone.

  103. challenge for february: do a doodle each day. maybe like a scene that grows a bit each day. try to include at least one heart creature or couple in love ( in honor of valentines day ) make it your own and have fun!

  107. Challenge for today: make a valentine for a family member. Make it cute and sweet and adorable. Do you save bits and bobs? I do! Make a college of some sort . Experiment and be creative.

  108. Great! A cool art project is making feather! 1: Make dots of color down the middle 2: then place a string in the middle of the paint then grab the bottom of the string and pull up and off! Then do step two again!

  109. Hi, guys! I LOVE making art projects. (though I’m not the best artist) Can I join the art page?

  110. This isn’t really an art project, but it is something I like to do. I LOVE using colored pencils to draw a sunset, sunrise, underwater, (etc.) It is really fun and if you practice enough, you will start learning how different colors blend together. (Tip: A way to blend colors a little is to use a cotton ball to dab the page with rubbing alcohol)

    1. thanks! I also love suing colored pencils to experiment with color blending and things like that 🙂

  115. Hey guys!! What’s your favorite kind of artsy project? I love to work with paper (like making greeting cards and things) and fabric; I’m working on my second quilt! Do any of y’all quilt?

    1. I’m a good crafter too I like it a lot
      It is so much fun I like to do it whenever especially on rainy days

      1. same!! Rainy days are the best for getting out craft projects 🙂 I also really enjoy crafting and listening to audiobooks lol. do any of y’all do that?

        1. I listen to adventures in odessey while I craft. Sometimes it even inspires me to make something

  116. Hi everyone! Thank you all for commenting and making the art page a success!
    Challenge: draw an original leprechaun trap. Be super creative. Have fun!!! Extra points for anyone who actually builds it.
    Double challenge: make a shamrock garland. I made mine out of a mossy green felt and burlap. This is a really fun way to brighten up your home

    1. Did anyone do this? Please let us know if you had fun and more challenges like it
      *want

  117. Hi y’all! It’s nice to be on here again! Here is an art project! It is really fun and and cute, too. So take some paper bags and fold them in half. With double-sided tape or glue, stick them together. Take decorative paper and wrap it around the stack for the cover. Put pictures or doodles inside. For the strap, make two thin pieces of paper…

  118. Stick the first one on the front near the right edge. Tape down the two short sides leaving an open space. Next, take the second piece of paper and tape on short side to the back near the edge. Slip the non-taped side through the open space you made on the front earlier.
    You can do different themes, too: Nature, Yourself, Family, (etc.)
    ENJOY!!!

  121. Just a reminder, the deadline for the members magazine is March 31. Make sure to have your stuff sent in by then.

  127. Make a spring collage. Add dried flowers, photos, cute paintings or sketches of baby animals, seeds, ect. You could even have a theme such as spring plants, spring animals or even spring music. Be inspired by nature and have fun!💐🌷

  130. Hey guys! Here’s a challenge for May: Find a project that you started but never finished (yes, all crafters have those) and try to finally complete it! Once you’ve finished that, try to find another unfinished attempt and finish that as well! If you think of it as a burden or a chore, it will be unenjoyable, so try to have fun with it!

  132. Hey guys, I know I just posted a challenge, but I had a great idea so here’s another project!
    Make a Bored Jar!
    We all get bored at least once during the summer…or twice…or maybe more…
    With the sudden absence of school, the beginning of summer and the lack of things to do during the day can become, well, boring. TBC

  133. Don’t know what to do with yourself now that there’s no math homework to be done? Here’s a fun craft for y’all that can help to defeat boredom! It’s called (drumroll please)…wait what? how did you know I was going to say make a bored jar? Oh yeah…
    For such a helpful tool, it’s really very simple to make. All you will need is:
    TBC

  134. A graph form (like on Pages or Microsoft Word)
    A printer and paper
    A jar or container that you’re willing to sacrifice for such a noble purpose (meaning you probably won’t be able to use it for anything else after you use it for this)
    Craft supplies (such as glue, paper, scissors, markers, ect.)
    Artistic taste
    If you don’t have a printer,
    TBC

  135. feel free to make your own graph with paper and pen, instead of typing!
    Now, all you have to do is think up at least ten things that you like to do. It can be as simple as sitting out on the porch and reading, or as complicated as run around the block five times, do fifty pushups, two hundred sit-ups, and twenty-five burpees. As far as you can TBC

  136. try to choose things that you can do yourself, and don’t require someone driving somewhere or going to the store to get something. Type out one activity in each box in the graph in the form below. The more activities, the better!!! And now, here’s the fun part: take your jar or container, and have as much fun as you can decorating it!!
    TBC

  137. You can label it with markers, decorate it with glitter glue, cut and glue paper flowers, or even use that paper mâché talent you don’t quite know what to do with. You can label it ‘bored jar’ or just leave it decorated as it is. Go crazy! Drown your jar in glitter!
    TBC

  138. (or you could be like me and evaluate the jar for a few weeks before finally landing on what you want to decorate it with) But most of all, have fun doing it!
    Now, for the last and final step. Print out the form with all of the activities on it, and cut apart the boxes so that you have a bunch of little strips of paper with activities
    TBC

  139. on them. Pour them into the decorated jar, and admire your beautiful handiwork! At last, I hope it’s beautiful. Otherwise you can start over if you like.
    Using your new bored jar will be easy; whenever you’re bored, swish your hand around in the jar and pull out a paper slip. Whatever is on there, even if you really don’t feel like doing it,
    TBC

  140. DO IT!!!!!!!!!! This is the most vital part of this craft!! If you keep pulling out slips of paper and putting them back because you don’t feel like doing what’s on them, that will completely defeat the purpose of the Bored Jar!! You have to use that will power you’ve been putting to use on those science assignments all school year,
    TBC

  141. all school year, and just do what’s on the paper! Have fun!
    Thank you all for bearing with me through this probably really boring text, but pat yourself on the back, you made it to the end! Congratulations! Here’s a final tip for y’all: wait until you’re super bored to make your Bored Jar! It should solve your boredom for at least
    TBC

  142. wenty minutes or so. It will probably be until summer vacation that you are bored, but feel free to save this craft until then; there are only a few weeks left in the school year. (Gigantic sigh of relief)
    Thanks y’all for reading all that!!!
    NF

  143. @NF
    Thank you for sharing , I love this! Also , I find that when I’m bored I can never think of what to do even if I have a million things. But usually when I’m super busy I can think of a lot of things to do that don’t need to be done right away. Soo…
    Make a list! It is super helpful to wright it down. Hope this helps you.😉

    1. @Not me
      That’s a great idea!! I love making lists so that should come in handy sometime. 😉

      1. Thanks! Lists are really helpful sometimes. Ooo, I just thought of a a challenge. Create an art form using a list/ lists! Tell me what you come up with

  144. Also, another random tip that has nothing to do with art, but when you’re feeling really overwhelmed and like you have a million things to do, make a list!! getting all your to-do’s down on paper really helps to clear your mind and make you feel less stressed. At least, it does for me 🙂 hope this helps someone!

  145. Awesome craft: decorate a planter or pot. It could be indoor or outdoor, big or small and for you or someone else. Get creative and come up with a theme based on what you are going to plant. Hope this inspires you!😀

  146. Another challenge for May: be inspired by nature. You can sculpt, paint, sketch even sew something, but make it fun and cheerful and filled with flowers.🙂🌷

    Idea: do a spring quilt. I have never made a quilt before but I would like to try😉I think this project is perfect for that!

    1. I love quilting!! I would make a spring quilt, but I already started a new one…and it’s all greasy, greens, and blues. Sort of spring-y I guess

        1. It’s so fun!! And also slightly addictive…once you finish one quilt you have to start another one 😂

        1. Actually, I have a project. It will take a lot of work! CARDBOARD FAKE AQUARIUM:
          Take a medium or small sized cardboard box and cut off the flaps. Trace the outer edge of the box on a blues piece of paper. Cut out the paper and glue it to the inside of the box. Then, find directions for making origami fish, (or print out your own pics) and… TBC

  149. CARDBOARD FAKE AQUARIUM: (cont).
    attach them to string and then to the top of the inside of the box. (Side note: If you want, add coral and other things to the bottom. Or glue beads to the bottom, too). Add whatever other things you want. Make sure everything is securely glued before continuing. Take plastic wrap and glue or tape it to the open…

  150. CARDBOARD FAKE AQUARIUM: (cont).
    …side of the box. TA-DA!! You have your own aquarium!
    Add in suggestions:
    Origami turtle
    Air-dry clay shaped like coral
    Air-dry clay shaped like a starfish
    and whatever else you want!
    Enjoy creating this fun craft!

    1. Thanks, that sounds so fun! What a good idea!
      Clarifying, you’re supposed to turn the box sideways after you cut off the flaps, and use the open top as the side you can see through?

  151. Thank you so much , Esther ! I appreciate the craft ideas shared. I have made simarlar crafts.

  152. I actually just used this craft today to keep my little brothers busy while I was babysitting them… very helpful @Esther, thank you!😂

  155. July Challenge:
    Since it is past Independence Day, I don’t have any crafts for that. But, I have a fun, summery craft!
    Gather:
    different colors of air-dry (or oven-bake) clay
    string
    toothpick
    paper plate or newspaper (to cover your work surface)

    Instructions:
    Take the clay and shape it into whatever shapes you want; watermelon, star, heart…

  156. Take the clay, and shape it into whatever you want (the shapes should be small–the size of your fingernail); watermelon, star, heart, orange, banana, flip-flops, think SUMMER! 🙂 Next, poke a hole through the clay with your toothpick. You might to poke it more than once! Follow the instructions on the clay package for drying or baking…

  157. After your clay has dried, string the string through it. You might want to tie the string to a needle or toothpick to get it through the holes. Now you have a summery necklace! You can also make a bracelet or anklet if desired.
    Have fun and get creative!!

  163. Let’s get back the art page!!!
    Craft idea: In honor of back to school, create a uniquely designed backpack keychain. Use clay to create fun designs, write your name, even share your faith. Use beads, string and other fun objects. Be creative and have fun!
    Let us know what you come up with.

  171. wow congrats😄😁😀😃☺🙂

    I love listening to these podcasts

    My kids love them too and they will always ask to listen to them. They also love learning about God.

  173. Hello everyone! I haven’t just started listening but I love the episodes and I think focus on the family is doing a great job. It not only gives me something to listen to but helps me grow in faith and I hope that’s the same for the rest of y’all. Thank you so much for what you’re doing. Odyssey forever!

  178. Hey, I was looking through the comments and I saw another Elena. I am so suprised to see another Elena spelled the same way I spell it.

    1. I like it but I don’t like how Jules is.you now how they Menshen Taylor quick I think it’s bast on Taylor swift.

      2. i seen willbe’s dad has cancer . first i want to say i’m sorry about that .second i know how you feel my aunt
        had cancer

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Commenting Guidelines for the Adventures in Odyssey Podcast

Thank you for your interest in Adventures in Odyssey! This page allows Adventures in Odyssey fans of all ages to give their thoughts on the podcast and the show. We welcome your comments. We ask that you read and follow the guidelines to keep this page safe. 

  • All comments submitted on this page are moderated and won’t appear for other people to read until they’ve been approved. This might take up to 72 hours if the comment is entered over the weekend or a holiday. We are excited to hear from you and welcome your comments.
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