Podcast Summary: The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast

Episode: “My Truth” vs. The Truth: Why Madi Thinks It Matters

Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Candace Cameron Bure
Guest: Madison Pruitt Trout

Overview

This episode features a candid, faith-centered conversation between Candace Cameron Bure and Madison Pruitt Trout about the difference between "my truth" and "the truth." The two explore why objective truth, grounded in the Christian faith and personhood of Jesus, is crucial in a culture obsessed with individual narratives. They share personal stories, explore spiritual truths, and address listener questions about parenting, identity, and living out genuine faith.

Main Discussion Themes

1. The Meaning of "Truth" in Faith (00:00–07:09, 14:58–18:20)

• Madison opens with John 8:32, emphasizing that true freedom and life are found in discovering Jesus as the Truth, not just conceptual truth.

  "Instead of asking the question, what is truth? A better question is saying, who is truth? Because truth is a person, it’s not a concept. And when we find him, we find everything we're looking for." – Madison (00:00)

• Candace and Madison both critique the "my truth" movement: They argue that truth can’t be subjective if it is to have real meaning; for Christians, truth comes from God’s Word and person.

  "We hear everybody talk about your truth, my truth, which drives me up the wall because there’s only the Truth, and it comes from the Word of God." – Candace (14:58)

• The cultural obsession with individual narratives is discussed as a source of confusion and bondage, as opposed to the clarity and freedom found in Jesus.
• Notable Insight: Madison ties this discussion to scripture and technology:

  "With the rise of AI and all the stuff that’s happening today... can I really trust that? Is that really true? Is it credible? ...There’s almost a lack of trust in our hearts." (15:27)

2. Personal Stories of Spiritual Growth & Discovering Truth (05:16–07:09, 19:31–30:53)

• Motherhood & transformation: Madison talks about how becoming a mother brought unexpected growth, challenges, and a deeper sense of purpose.
• Postpartum struggles: Both share candidly about insecurities and body changes after childbirth, finding humor and gratitude for new stages of life.
• Madison’s rebellion & secret struggle: She shares about presenting a ‘perfect’ Christian image while wrestling with private sin and shame in her youth.

  “On the outside, I always looked really clean and put together…but there were seasons…living in secret sin…It created more sin and also led to shame…because I really cared about reputation.” – Madison (13:20)

• Candace’s awakening: Candace recounts her early adulthood, realizing that her own goodness could not save her; only God’s grace and Christ’s sacrifice could:

  “I thought my own goodness is what saves me. And God pulled that veil off...I saw myself for what I was, and that was a sinner in need of grace.” – Candace (27:27–30:53)

• Analogies and memorable moments: Madison uses the story of being rescued from a wave pool as a metaphor for Jesus saving us (19:31).

3. Parenting, Influence, and Navigating Rebellion (07:09–13:10)

• Listener Question: How to engage a middle schooler who does not want to attend church.
• Candace’s advice: Root response in consistent prayer, modeling faith, and appropriate boundaries—parents have a role in guiding choices, especially regarding friends and community.

  “Your first place is on your knees in prayer over your child. God loves your child more than you do. …But when they’re at home and in middle school, you still have choices you can make for them.” – Candace (09:09)

• Madison’s perspective: Emphasizes the impact of modeling and praying for one’s children, citing Proverbs 22:6 and James 5.

  "Even when your child starts taking detours…what you’re instilling in them…is doing more than you realize." – Madison (09:58)

• Influence of friends: Both stress parents helping children make wise choices about friends and community.

  “You really become who you’re friends with, who you’re hanging out with the most, and to choose your friends wisely.” – Candace (11:57)

4. Wrestling with Shame, Grace, and Transformation (13:10–14:58, 31:12–33:54)

• Secret sin and shame: Madison details the destructive cycle of hidden struggle, shame, and the yearning for approval, before truly surrendering to God’s grace in college.
• Breakdown of ‘lukewarm’ Christianity: Candace admits to being a “casual, lukewarm Christian” before experiencing true surrender and understanding the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice—which led to a deeper, more vibrant faith.
• Truth as the thread: They highlight the importance of not just knowing about Jesus, but recognizing Him as Truth embodied.
• Scripture as foundation for identity and freedom.
• Memorable Exchange:

  "If the Word of God isn’t calling you out and offending you, then I don’t know if you’re really reading the same word that I’m reading." – Madison (31:41)

5. Practical Advice for Living Out Faith in a Modern World (36:40–40:31)

• Listener Question: "I struggle to feel Christian enough. I listen to music that isn’t Christian, watch non-religious movies, but live my life rooted in the Word—am I lost?"
• Madison’s Response: Reassures that grace—not perfection—defines Christianity. Encourages healthy boundaries around what influences us, active spiritual discipline, and the importance of Christian community.

  "You can’t be Christian enough. You can’t be good enough. ...Only the blood of Jesus Christ can set you free." – Madison (37:19)

• Candace’s Perspective: Emphasizes discernment, listening for the Holy Spirit, and not being legalistic, but responding when the Spirit brings conviction about what we consume.

  "Do I think that listening to non-Christian music is bad? No…But if your conscience starts to prick at you, listen to it." – Candace (40:31)

• Sanctification is a process: Progress in faith comes from a continual openness to God’s guidance, not strict outward conformity.

6. The Role of Pride and Humility (33:54–36:40)

• Discussing pride as a barrier: Both admit to struggling with pride, even after coming to faith.

  "It’s so much pride…it’s taken me a long time to realize that it’s a gift [salvation]. …I always want to achieve…God’s like, I don’t work that way. I love you because I love you." – Candace (34:00–34:23)

• Madison further notes:

  "We make relationships often so rewards based and metrics based…it just doesn't work like that for God. God’s so much bigger…so much better…and that’s why we serve a perfect God." (35:08)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Objective Truth:

  "To say some things are true and some things aren’t true, to even just call Jesus a good teacher is—if he was a good teacher and he taught truth, but we’re not believing all the words that he’s saying, then that means he’s actually not good and he’s probably a lunatic and a crazy person." – Madison (15:30)

• On Finding Freedom:

  "When you find real truth, you find real freedom…when we find truth, we find freedom." – Madison (17:09)

• On Parenting:

  "What we model and what we’re showing them matters so much." – Madison (09:58)

• On the Challenge of Living Honestly:

  "If the Word of God isn’t calling you out and isn’t offending you, then I don’t know if you’re really reading the same word that I’m reading." – Madison (31:41)

Key Timestamps

• [00:00–03:28]: Introduction, theme of truth, opening scripture (John 8:32)
• [03:28–07:09]: Light-hearted name discussion; motherhood & life changes
• [07:09–13:10]: Listener parenting question & answers; raising kids in faith
• [13:10–14:58]: Madison shares about hidden struggles, hypocrisy, shame
• [14:58–18:20]: Defining truth, critique of "my truth" vs. Jesus as Truth
• [19:31–23:28]: Madison’s wave pool story as faith metaphor; gospel clarity
• [27:22–30:53]: Candace’s testimony; moment of awakening to real grace
• [31:12–33:54]: Daily spiritual practices, Trinity as "truth," transformative power
• [33:54–36:40]: Pride, humility, and unconditional love of God
• [36:40–40:31]: Listener college/culture question, practical faith guidance

Final Takeaways

• Truth is not personal preference: For both Candace and Madison, objective truth is embodied in Jesus Christ, not constructed by individual narrative.
• Grace is the heart of the gospel: No amount of good works, perfect parenting, or outward behavior can substitute for the saving power of Christ.
• Living authentically: Both emphasize that being honest about struggles, doubts, and failures is essential for spiritual growth and healthy faith-based community.
• Practical faith: Regular prayer, time in scripture, wise boundaries, and close Christian relationships are all encouraged as daily practices.
• Transformation over time: Both hosts note that spiritual maturity is an ongoing, grace-filled journey rather than a destination of perfection.

This episode offers heartfelt wisdom and relatable stories for listeners navigating faith in today’s culture of subjective truth, with encouragement to pursue Truth, freedom, and humility in every aspect of life.