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.
Appears in 563 Episodes
Conversation with Kevin Sorbo
In this episode, Kevin Sorbo, an actor, producer, and director who has directed and starred in many well-known faith-based movies and shows, joins the Defender podcast...
Coping with Emotional Exhaustion
Do you feel emotionally exhausted? Do you ever feel shame associated with those feelings? In this episode, Kara Clark, one of Lifeline’s casework supervisors and famil...
Best of 2022 - Chapman Family Part 2
For the first episode of 2023, we are taking a look back at one of our most-listened to episodes of 2022. Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman join Herbie and Rick in a...
Best of 2022 - Chapman Family Part 1
We are taking a look back at one of our most listened to episodes of 2022. Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman join Herbie and Rick in a discussion about grief.
A Conversation with the Hicks Family
Today on the podcast, Dr. Rick Morton has a conversation with the Hicks family who has 11 children and has adopted from Ukraine. Their daughter is experiencing signifi...
Navigating Grief During the Holidays with Anna Pawley
In this episode, Herbie Newell has a conversation with Anna Pawley, Lifeline's Post Adoption Manager, about navigating grief during the holidays.
The Healing Power of God and Adoption
In this episode, we take a look back at a conversation Herbie Newell had in August with Simon Benn, an adult adoptee and adoption advocate in the UK. They talk about t...
Navigating the Holidays with Lynn Beckett
Lynn Beckett, Program Manager of Parent Coaching, joins Herbie Newell and Rick Morton to discuss navigating the holidays with a child who has been adopted or fostered ...
Being Thankful Before the Lord
Herbie Newell and Rick Morton take time to reflect on God's goodness and lead us into a posture of being thankful before the Lord as we approach Thanksgiving.
A Domestic Adoption Story
In this episode, Annie and Hudson Moore – domestic adoptive parents, and Amanda Shaw – birth mother, talk with their Pregnancy Counselor, Lauren Eddie about their dome...
The Baird Family's Adoption Story
In this episode, the Baird family joins the podcast to talk about their adoption process to adopt their little girl internationally.
International Adoption with Karla Thrasher
As National Adoption Month is upon us, Karla Thrasher joins the podcast today and discusses the implications of international adoption in 2022, how it has changed over...
Pastor Chris Johnson & Orphan Sunday
Herbie Newell and Dr. Rick Morton are joined by Pastor Chris Johnson, the Vice President of Church Partnerships and Government Affairs at Lifeline. They discuss the si...
Sadie Robertson Huff and Korie Robertson
Herbie Newell interviews Sadie Robertson Huff and Korie Robertson on the podcast today. They discuss their experiences and perspective as an adoptive mother and sister...
Faith and Education: Conversation with Chuck Wolfe
Herbie Newell and Dr. Rick Morton are joined by Chuck Wolfe, the founder and CEO of Faith Academics. They talk about the importance of Christian education in various s...
Equipping the Global Church
Beth and Oscar Perez join the Defender Podcast to talk about the importance of equipping the global church to serve the vulnerable in their communities. Beth is the Di...
A Conversation with Krupa
Herbie and Dr. Rick continue the series on our global partners in light of the Global Orphan Care Conference in July 2022. They have a conversation with Krupa, one of ...
A Conversation with Petry Groza
Herbie and Dr. Rick continue the series on our global partners in light of the Global Orphan Care Conference in July 2022. They have a conversation with Petry Groza, o...
Lifemark Interviews
Rick Morton and Herbie Newell attended the world premiere of Lifemark, a Kirk Cameron and Kendrick Brothers movie, that will be in theaters September 9-15. Rick got th...
Global Orphan Care Conference Recap
Herbie and Rick recap Lifeline's Global Orphan Care Conference on the podcast today.
The Kendrick Brothers and Lifemark
Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the creators of War Room and Fireproof, join Herbie and Rick on the podcast to discuss their latest film, Lifemark.
Conversation with Destiny and Julius
Herbie and Rick sit down with our (un)adopted partners from Liberia to talk about ministry. Recorded during the Global Orphan Care conference in Dubai, UAE.
Conversation with Billy Chondwe
Billy Chondwe, nicknamed "The Father of Orphan Sunday", sits down with Rick and Herbie at the Global Orphan Care Conference in Dubai, UAW.
Back to School Tips with Lynn Beckett
Education specialist, Lynn Beckett, joins Rick and Herbie to talk about the transition back to school with your kids.
Best of 2022: Marriage and Adoption
Originally aired February 9, 2022. Herbie and Rick walk through the importance of a biblically-based marriage and the significance of this in the pursuit of adoption.
Best of 2022: Birthparent Counseling Ministry
Originally aired on February 2, 2022. Marie Gunn, Lifeline pregnancy counselor in Mississippi, joins Herbie and Rick to discuss birthparent ministry.
A Conversation with Commissioner Nichols, Part 2
Herbie and Rick are joined by Jennifer Nichols, commissioner of the department of children's services of Tennessee.
A Conversation with Commissioner Nichols Part 1
Herbie and Rick are joined by Jennifer Nichols, commissioner of the department of children's services of Tennessee. Part 1
A Conversation with Elli Oswald
Elli Oswald, executive director of Faith to Action, joins Herbie and Rick for this week's episode.
Father's Day
Herbie and Rick discuss the importance of fathers in this special Father's Day episode.