Before becoming "Adventures in Odyssey", the show took on the name "Family Portraits" and aired during Dr. Dobson's radio show. Before each episode (not all of which were the standard 30 minutes), Dr. Dobson would comment on the theme that would be presented. This role would later be performed by Odyssey's own announcer, Chris Anthony. Each of these episodes are unique in that each one is about a different family in Odyssey. These families are then never heard from again, with the exception of Whit's family. The only characters who are consistantly heard throughout are Whit and Tom. The show also had a more dramatic spin on it and focused more on its adult audience in these first 13 episodes. The response to them from Dr. Dobson's listeners was so positive that it prompted Focus on the Family to continue producing the show... and still going strong since 1988.

#FP2:

Dental Dilemma

Original Airdate: January 13, 1987 Scripture Reference: Psalm 27:1 Theme: Teasing / Fear Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Susan McBride Directors: Chuck Bolte, Steve Harris Producers: Steve Harris, Bob Luttrell Sound Designers: Steve Harris, Bob Luttrell Characters: Bob Forbes, Emily Forbes, Jean Forbes, Mark Forbes, Frank Graves, John Avery Whittaker (Whit) Emily Forbes loves the dentist. But when her older brother frightens her with lies about her teeth, she fears Dr. Graves is going to pull all of them out! Included in Collection: Family Portraits

#FP3:

The New Kid in Town

Original Airdate: January 19, 1987 Scripture Reference: Proverbs 18:24 Theme: Friendship Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Phil Lollar Directors: Chuck Bolte, Steve Harris Producers: Steve Harris, Bob Luttrell Sound Designers: Steve Harris, Bob Luttrell Characters: Jimmy, Roger, George Poindexter, Colleen Walker, Larry Walker, Shawn Walker, John Avery Whittaker (Whit) After a meeting his new neighbors, Whit reaches out to make their daughter feel welcome being the new kid. Included in Collection: Family Portraits

#FP4:

No Stupid Questions

Original Airdate: January 26, 1987 Scripture Reference: Proverbs 18:15 Theme: Respect / Knowledge Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Susan McBride Director: Steve Harris Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: Chris Gottlieb, Carol Stevens, Meg Stevens, John Avery Whittaker (Whit) Chris Gottlieb, a man in a wheelchair, and Meg Stevens, a girl with a lot of questions, form an odd friendship when they help each other out. Included in Collection: Family Portraits

#FP5:

You're Not Gonna Believe This... [Was Remade As Episode #44: It Sure Seemed Like It To Me]

Original Airdate: February 2, 1987 Scripture Reference: Proverbs 18:7, Proverbs 22:1 Theme: Integrity Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Phil Lollar Director: Phil Lollar Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: Mr. Cunningham, June Haveman, Jaime Wentworth, Johnathon Charles Michael Stephen Wentworth III (Budgie), John Avery Whittaker (Whit) Budgie likes to exaggerate and his cousin Jamie feels he just can't trust him anymore. After an incredibly over-the-top tale, Whit helps both Jamie and Budgie deal with their differences and accept each other for who they are. Included in Collection: Family Portraits

#FP6:

My Brother's Keeper

Original Airdate: February 16, 1987 Scripture Reference: Proverbs 12:18 Theme: Sibling Rivalry Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writers: Phil Lollar, Paul McCusker Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: Jimmy, Dean Callas, Mr. Callas, Mrs. Callas, Phillip Callas, Tom Riley, John Avery Whittaker (Whit) Philip Callas gets angry during baseball practice and tells his younger brother Dean to go home. When Dean doesn't return home, the police get involved and try to track down the boy. Included in Collection: Family Portraits

#FP7:

While Dad's Away

Original Airdate: March 2, 1987 Scripture Reference: Malachi 4:6 Theme: Absentee Fathers Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Phil Lollar Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: DeWayne Brettman, Janice Brettman, Laura Brettman, Michael Brettman, Peter Oliver, Sarah Oliver, John Avery Whittaker (Whit) While showing a family around a house that is up for sale, Whit tells a couple the story behind the house and why the former owners decided to move. Included in Collection: Family Portraits

#FP8:

The Letter

Original Airdate: March 9, 1987 Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:1-4 Theme: Teen Communication Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Steve Harris Director: Steve Harris Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: Stacy, Stan, John Avery Whittaker (Whit) After her father embarrasses her in front of a friend, Stacy refuses to speak to him. Her mother intervenes and tries to prove to her how much her father actually loves her. Included in Collections: Meanwhile in Another Part of Town (Gold Audio #14), Family Portraits

#FP9:

A Different Kind of Peer Pressure

Original Airdate: March 16, 1987 Scripture Reference: Romans 12:2 Theme: Peer Pressure Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Steve Harris Director: Steve Harris Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: Mickey Barton, Mr. Collins, Blair Hudson, Richard Hudson, Ruth Hudson, Jim Powell, John Avery Whittaker (Whit), Jerry Winters The Hudson family is having trouble with peer pressure. The daughter, Blair, decides not be friends with a guy who is not considered "in" and her father, Richard, puts down a co-worker to fit in. Included in Collection: Family Portraits

#FP10:

In Memory of Herman

Original Airdate: March 23, 1987 Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 3:1-2 Theme: Salvation Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Phil Lollar Director: Phil Lollar Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: Hank, Amanda Hardwick, Randy Hardwick, Victor Hardwick, John Avery Whittaker (Whit) When the Hardwick's family frog dies, they have to learn to deal with the death of a loved one and face some important life changing decisions. Included in Collection: Family Portraits

#FP11:

A Member of the Family (Part 1)

Original Airdate: March 30, 1987 Scripture Reference: Proverbs 3:11-12, Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:4 Theme: Discipline / Family Conflict Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Susan McBride Director: Steve Harris Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: Jimmy, Tom Riley, John Avery Whittaker (Whit), Jana Whittaker-Dowd, Monty Whittaker-Dowd Whit's grandson Monty comes to visit him but starts causing problems for Whit and the rest of the town when Monty starts acting out, feeling his grandfather has been treated him unfairly. Included in Collections: The Adventure Begins: The Early Classics (Gold Audio #1), Family Portraits

#FP12:

A Member of the Family (Part 2)

Original Airdate: April 6, 1987 Scripture Reference: Proverbs 3:11-12, Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:4 Theme: Discipline / Family Conflict Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Steve Harris Director: Steve Harris Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: Jimmy, Tom Riley, John Avery Whittaker (Whit), Jana Whittaker-Dowd, Monty Whittaker-Dowd Whit's grandson Monty comes to visit him but starts causing problems for Whit and the rest of the town when Monty starts acting out, feeling his grandfather has been treated him unfairly. Included in Collections: The Adventure Begins: The Early Classics (Gold Audio #1), Family Portraits

#FP13:

A Simple Addition

Original Airdate: April 13, 1987 Scripture Reference: Romans 12:10 Theme: Sibling Rivalry Categories: Family Portrait Episodes Writer: Susan McBride Directors: Phil Lollar, Paul McCusker Producer: Bob Luttrell Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell Characters: Joe Rogers, Nicky Rogers, Shannon Rogers, Shelly Rogers, John Avery Whittaker (Whit) In an effort to get attention, young Nicky does whatever he can to get his parents to stop thinking about their soon-to-be-born child. Included in Collection: Family Portraits