We're Back: Defending the Fatherless in 2026
The Defender Podcast is officially rebooted. Hosted by Rob Ingram, Ken Norwood, Herbie Newell, and Ford Reasons, we're back with a simple mission: give you practical, gospel-rooted tools to defend the fatherless in about 10 minutes a week.
In Episode 1, we introduce the new crew, unpack the biblical vision behind this podcast rooted in Isaiah 1:17, and give you a first look at Lifeline's biggest initiative of the year, the 19 in 19 road trip, 19 states in 19 days starting June 8th.
Whether you're a pastor, a donor, a foster or adoptive parent, or just someone who wants to do something for vulnerable children, this podcast is for you.
đź”” Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. New episodes every Wednesday.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome and Meet the Hosts 02:27 What to Expect from the Defender Podcast 04:00 Who Is This Podcast For? 04:45 The Biblical Vision: Isaiah 1:17 and Defending the Fatherless 06:50 Lifeline's 19-State Ministry Presence 08:45 Introducing the 19 in 19 Road Trip 11:00 PRC Partnerships and the Giving Day Campaign 13:09 Pulling Back the Curtain on Lifeline 15:35 Ford Recites All 19 States (and the Final Challenge
Creators and Guests
Host
Herbie Newell
Herbie Newell serves as the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services, holds an MBA in Accounting from Samford University and brings years of experience from his work as an independent auditor at WAKM Companies, LLC. Serving as Lifeline's Executive Director since 2003, Herbie has significantly expanded international outreach, obtained licensure in 17 states, and led the establishment of the foster care arm. A passionate advocate, he co-founded (un)adopted in 2009, focusing on equipping orphaned children with life skills for community transformation. Herbie, also the author of "Image Bearers: Shifting from Pro-birth to Pro-Life," emphasizes that being pro-life extends beyond opposing abortion, urging a broader ethic that includes fighting for racial equality and embracing every individual with the love of Christ. Herbie and his wife, Ashley, reside in Birmingham, Alabama, and are the parents to three children.