Real Faith Stories
204 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago -If you've ever felt frustrated because you've struggled to take the steps of faith you believe you should be taking, but hesitate because of fear of the unknown, Real Faith Stories can help.
By hearing the true stories of everyday people who by faith, boldly and courageously took great risks, despite their fears – this podcast will help you believe that you can do it too.
So, listen and be encouraged.
You may be one step away from making the eternal impact you were created for, and becoming the answer to someone else’s prayer.
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Episodes
199: Peace Beyond Human Understanding - Dan Rudat
April 11, 2024 10:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBAs a real estate investor in over 2,500 deals the past 30 years, Dan has experienced his fair share of intense, stressful, and anxious moments. However, in 2018 he made a commitment, in writing, to give his life and business completely to the Lord as Master Owner of everything. Since then, he’s experienced “a peace that surpasses human understanding.” Special Guest: Dan Rudat.
198: How Surrender Lead to Triumph – Maggie DeJong
April 04, 2024 10:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBMaggie's favorite quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer is, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” This quote became her guiding principle during an intensely challenging time in her master's program when she was ostracized by her professors and fellow students due to her Christian beliefs and conservative values. However, she remained steadfast in her convictions, leading to an event that garnered national attent...
197: Desperate for More of God - Amy Roberts
March 28, 2024 10:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBOn her 40th birthday, Amy had no idea that a knock on her door would eventually lead to the most powerful faith transformation she could have imagined. Ultimately, her desperation for more of God radically shifted not only her life but also the lives and eternal destiny of her entire family. Special Guest: Amy Roberts.
196: The 15-Minute Call That Changed Ryan Collins' Life
March 21, 2024 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBBeginning in journalism and transitioning to online education, Ryan Collins could never have imagined that a divinely timed 15-minute phone call would propel him to the CEO position of a startup, now recognized as one of the nation's leading technology schools. A school that God is using powerfully to not only change the lives of its graduates, but also profoundly impact the cultures of the companies they engage with. Special Guest: Ryan Collins.
195: Freedom! - Ben Edwards
March 14, 2024 10:00 - 44 minutes - 31.2 MBDr. Ben Edwards grew up in a family of highly respected doctors, including two grandparents, two uncles, and his great grandfather. Following the birth of their first child, he and his wife faced 24 months of infertility which God used to open their eyes to what it meant to “seek first the kingdom of God.” This led to their hearts opening to alternative medicine after witnessing his nurse practitioner's healing from an "incurable" condition. This experience launched Ben into a season of dee...
194: Words Hold the Power of Life and Death - Bryan Crum
March 07, 2024 11:00 - 25 minutes - 18.3 MBAs a hospice chaplain for over 10 years Bryan has personally witnessed thousands of people breath their very last breath. The difference between those who expressed regret and those who did not? The WORDS they chose to believe about themselves versus the ones they did not. And, Bryan shares the one thing he's found that can destroy regret, even up to the last moment of life. Special Guest: Bryan Crum.
193: Conquering Fear and Living in Bold Obedience - Diana Burks
February 29, 2024 11:00 - 39 minutes - 28 MBFrom a young age, Diana learned the power of following God’s promptings. With each act of obedience, her faith became stronger, touching more lives. Then, after residing in New Mexico with her husband, children, and extended family for 18 years, she sensed a prompting to move to Dallas, TX. Obeying this prompting would prove to be one of the hardest yet most rewarding faith challenges she’d ever encountered. And the fruit of that obedience has far exceeded what she could have imagined. Specia...
192: When God Owns Your Company - Johnathan Sparks
February 22, 2024 11:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBFor 15 years Johnathan & Kara had a good company making good revenue which positively impacted many people. Then one day Johnathan had a conversation with a mentor that changed everything: He said, “Have you dedicated your company to God and asked Him to bless it, or does He actually OWN your company and you steward it?” That question sparked a huge business shift that’s yielded stunning results. Special Guest: Johnathan Sparks.
191: "I Can't do this by Myself Anymore" - Dan & Elizabeth Thorndike
February 15, 2024 11:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBAs a full-ride scholarship recipient and Division 1 college athlete, Elizabeth was used to being self-reliant. If things didn’t happen fast enough, she would make them happen. That was, until she and Dan had their first special needs child, then felt God guiding them to adopt two more medically fragile children. She reached a point one day, through tears, when she told Dan, “I can’t do this by myself anymore.” Two days later, Dan gave notice that he was quitting his job to help Elizabeth ...
190: SPECIAL EPISODE: The Truth WILL Set You Free - Perry Marshall
February 08, 2024 11:00 - 47 minutes - 33.3 MBPerry Marshall says, "Whatever you did to compensate for your childhood traumas became your superpower - which means that even the most horrible circumstances DID come with a gift." In this special episode, we do a deep dive into exactly what that means, and the reason it's so important to get truth out into the light because, as they say in Alcoholics Anonymous, "we are only as sick as our secrets." Special Guest: Perry Marshall.
189: The Power of Agreement - Johnathan & Kara Sparks
February 01, 2024 11:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBJohnathan & Kara Sparks are commercial real estate investors who are in a relationship with God and each other in a way that few people get to experience; yet, is available to anyone willing to yield everything to the Lord. Special Guest: Johnathan & Kara Sparks.
188: Beyond Self-Help - Alejandra Crisafulli
January 25, 2024 11:00 - 33 minutes - 23.4 MBAs a pioneer in the life coaching industry teaching thousands the philosophy and tenets of self-help, Alejandra experienced a crisis in her life which opened her eyes to the one thing that had been missing, and the One who would ultimately deliver her from her crisis: Jesus Christ. Since then, client results have been so profound, permanent change has become the norm rather than the exception. Special Guest: Aljehandra Crisafulli.
187: "God, I'll do Anything You Ask Me to Do" - Michelle Brogan
January 18, 2024 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBA divine encounter pulled Michelle back from the brink of suicide and set her on a wild faith journey that has led to a nationally recognized dance ministry that’s changed thousands of lives. The keys have been intimacy with the Lord, immediate obedience, and a willingness to do anything God asks, regardless of how crazy it may seem. Special Guest: Michelle Brogan.
186: The Lie That You're Not Enough - Brian Robinson & Dave Charlson
January 11, 2024 11:00 - 27 minutes - 19.5 MBThrough one of the most stressful experiences of my life, I share how God helped me finally break free from the lie of not being enough. Then Dave Charlson shares his story about experiencing God’s life-giving power in weakness. Special Guest: David Charlson.
185: God Can "8:28" Anything - Tierney Shirrell
January 04, 2024 11:00 - 25 minutes - 18.2 MBAs a former corporate accountant turned full-time mom, Tierney found herself in the fight of her life after battling severe postpartum depression and following a diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder. The turning point came with a decision to receive the Lord's healing, reject shame and embrace her identity as a child of God. Now she helps others fulfill their purpose through the profound truth found in Romans 8:28, that God can turn every struggle into a source of blessing. Special Guest: Tierne...
184: Miraculous Provision - Nathaniel Escobar
December 28, 2023 11:00 - 39 minutes - 27.8 MBFor eight years Nathaniel had been successfully managing a fast-growing landscaping firm with 45 employees, then the Lord told him to leave all of it and go back to school. Everyone counseled him not to do it. But when he fully surrendered to the Lord’s prompting, he experienced miraculous provision. Special Guest: Nathaniel Escobar.
183: When God Orchestrates Your Unconditional Surrender - Sergio Luna
December 21, 2023 11:00 - 24 minutes - 17.5 MBSergio had a wonderfully successful marketing/branding firm in Mexico with 30 employees. Then, in one day through multiple confirmations, the Lord instructed him to leave it all behind and move to the United States. This led to the hardest season of his life which literally brought him to his knees in full, unconditional surrender. Since then, his life has never been the same. Special Guest: Sergio Luna.
182: When it Costs Everything to say "Yes" - Terry Goodman
December 14, 2023 11:00 - 32 minutes - 22.9 MBAfter some difficult life circumstances, Terry thought ministry may be over for her. But God wasn’t finished yet – not even close. After a divine meeting with Carole Ward, the founder of Favor International, The Lord woke her up two nights in a row at 2:00am asking her the same questions about going to Africa: “Will you go, and will you stay?” She said yes to both questions. Gave everything away, bought a one-way ticket to Uganda, and hasn’t looked back. What’s happened since has been noth...
181: When Mental Toughness & Extra Effort No Longer Work - Darryl Lyons
December 07, 2023 11:00 - 33 minutes - 23.5 MB“Mental toughness, extra effort” was the self-sufficient mantra Darryl lived by, until one February day that became nothing more than a powerless saying. He came to the end of himself and discovered how abiding in Jesus moment by moment was what his heart had always longed for. Special Guest: Darryl Lyons.
180: How Listening to the Lord and Bold Action Brings Breakthrough - Dave Dalton
November 30, 2023 11:00 - 40 minutes - 28.4 MBDave has cultivated a life of listening to the Lord's promptings then acting upon them, no matter how crazy they seem. In doing so he's experienced incredible breakthroughs in his life and business - along with incredible resistance. There's been one KEY that has helped him navigate through all of it: remembering what the Lord has said. Special Guest: Dave Dalton.
179: The Phone Call That Changed My Life - Katie Norris
November 23, 2023 11:00 - 28 minutes - 20.5 MBKatie had an idea to combine photography, film and philanthropy into a business called Fotolanthropy. Yet, she became weary of being in the middle ground of knowing the business needed to launch or the idea needed to die. So, she and her husband cried out to the Lord asking Him to help them know what to do. Less than 30 minutes after praying together, she received a phone call that changed her life. Special Guest: Katie Norris.
178: From Bankruptcy to Blessing - Mark Terrell
November 16, 2023 11:00 - 12 seconds - 152 KBThrough a divine invitation and a very reluctant "Yes," Mark shares his journey of leaving a successful financial services career and taking over a bankrupt non-profit that had 17 employees, and a budget of $600,000, to become one of Indiana’s largest non-profits with 700 employees, and a budget of $60 million. A miraculous story of bankruptcy to blessing and how God made it happen. Special Guest: Mark Terrell.
177: The Undeniable Presence of God - Stephanie Brady
November 09, 2023 11:00 - 30 minutes - 21.7 MBStephanie was 29 weeks pregnant when the unthinkable happened: On a family excursion, her husband died right in front of her. The overwhelm she experienced was beyond comprehension. Yet, during this unthinkable pain, God’s undeniable presence was like fortified pillars that supernaturally held her up. Stephanie shares how she experienced the truth of God’s promise that His presence is more than enough all the time for everything in your life. Special Guest: Stephanie Brady.
176: The Profound Impact of Speaking Truthfully to God - Jamie Winship
November 02, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 24.8 MBJamie Winship spent nearly 30 years living and working in conflict zones, and during that time he has learned an important truth: all human conflict originates from fear, and fear originates from a false view of God, ourselves, and others. Until we exchange what's false for what's real, we will never experience being fully alive, fully human, and fully free. This exchange starts with one critical step: speaking truthfully to God. He explains how in this episode of Real Faith Stories. Specia...
175: The Transforming Power of Suffering Wisely – Rob Reimer
October 26, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 26.1 MBAt age 24, Rob was sitting alone with God and he heard Him say to his heart, “I'm calling you to plant a church. You're going to teach in seminary. You're going to write books. You're going to speak internationally. Everything you do is for revival.” Rob replied, “I will do anything you ask me to do. But I'll never open my own doors and seek to advance my own opportunities. You open the doors and I'll walk through them when the time comes.” Since then, God has magnificently empowered Rob t...
174: The Hard Questions Can Change Your Life - Allan Blain
October 19, 2023 10:00 - 37 minutes - 26.6 MBAllan was making over $1 million dollars a year in a lucrative real estate and construction career yet, deep down, he knew he wasn’t making the impact God created him to make in the lives of others. So, with a 180 degree pivot and 90% pay cut, he went into a completely different business that now impacts the lives of thousands around the world. The catalyst for this change came from a friend who asked him hard questions at the right time. Special Guest: Allan Blain.
173: God's Got Your Number - Amy Carter
October 12, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 19.9 MBRaised in a troubled household, Amy delved into addiction early in life. Her path was marked by substance abuse, occult practices, and tragedy, including the loss of her mother to drunk driving and several of her friends committing suicide. However, one day while high on meth, a profound encounter with a Bible verse led to her spiritual awakening, ultimately transforming her life. She now offers hope and support to others facing addiction through her business and ministry, Grounds 4 Compassio...
172: From Brokenness to a Man on a Mission – Bradley Carter
October 05, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBGod's timing, unexpected dreams, and unwavering faith transformed Bradley from a broken man to a man on a mission. This is a story of redemption, purpose, and the incredible work that can happen when surrendering to God's plan. Special Guest: Bradley Carter.
171: Discovering God's Greatness: A Faith Journey with Elizabeth Enns
September 28, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBFrom facing Goliath-like challenges in high school, to witnessing the miraculous power of prayer, to helping young people recognize their own greatness; Elizabeth’s story is one of unwavering faith and unshakable determination. Special Guest: Elizabeth Enns.
170: Have You Taken God's Miracles for Granted? - Craig Thayer
September 21, 2023 10:00 - 25 minutes - 18.3 MBOn his way to becoming a trauma surgeon, Dr. Craig Thayer experienced enormous adversity and God’s incredible grace which allowed him to overcome multiple life-threatening and potentially career-ending situations. He also witnessed miracles in his own life and the lives of patients he treated, which gives rise to the question; have you taken God’s miracles in your life for granted? Special Guest: Craig Thayer.
169: The Incredible Journey of Saying “Yes” to God – Chris Cordsen
September 14, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 19.8 MBIn 2017, Chris Cordsen and his father Rod were asking the Lord how they could make a difference with their gifts and talents. Then the Lord gave them the idea of building homes to generate cash flow to fund missionaries. Little did they know that saying “yes” to this idea would lead to an incredible faith journey that now includes multiple businesses God is using to make an eternal impact. Special Guest: Chris Cordsen.
168: Are You Living by Faith or Performance? – Allen Arnold
September 07, 2023 10:00 - 42 minutes - 29.8 MBAllen constantly crushed his goals at the world’s largest publishing company as a triple espresso, hard driving, win at all costs executive. Then he had a life-changing meeting with his manager who told him no one on his 18-person team could stand working with him. That started a painful but amazing shift from measuring life by performance to doing life WITH God and, the difference has been like moving from night to day. Special Guest: Allen Arnold.
167: "God, Why did You Create Me?" - Chad Hawley
August 31, 2023 10:00 - 28 minutes - 20.1 MBChad was married for 20 years with four children when the diagnosis came, “You have cancer.” 30 days after the second surgery, the doctors did a scan, and the cancer had spread even further. The prognosis was grim. In a state of depression, Chad went into his bedroom for the next two days and cried out to God to answer one question, “Why did you create me?” After this he received an idea that would change everything in his life and bring miraculous healing to an impossible situation. Spec...
166: "God, I'll do Anything - Just Show Me!" - Kelsey Kemp
August 24, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 23.9 MBIn 2017, Kelsey was a burnt-out tech consultant who worried that God's only calling for her was to "stay, pray, and pay" for the missionaries doing the “real work” of God overseas. As her health continued to deteriorate in a high-stress job that was not aligned with her natural giftings, desperation caused her to seek the Bible for answers and pray the, "God, I'll do anything" prayer that changed her life. That was 6 years ago. In that time, she left her job and started work as a career coach...
165: The Power of Telling Your Story - Adam Gunton
August 17, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 21.5 MBAdam Gunton is living proof that God wants to use your story to set other people free. Special Guest: Adam Gunton.
164: The Awesome Power of Prayer - Melvin Pillay
August 10, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 25.5 MBMelvin grew up in South Africa living in a tin shack with his parents and five siblings. At seven years old, because of a deeply painful experience, he made a vow to free himself from the bonds of poverty. Through an amazing series of God-ordained events, he eventually became one of eight Zig Ziglar Platinum Speaker/Trainers in the world. Melvin ultimately credits all of this to one critical thing: having a mother who believed in Jesus and the awesome power of prayer. Special Guest: Melvin Pi...
163: God Absolutely Has a Plan for Your Life – Marcus Black
August 03, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 23.8 MBMarcus experienced a dramatic wake-up call when driving back from Memphis, TN with three other friends. They were in a terrible car accident and should have died upon impact, yet miraculously, everyone survived. This was the start of a challenging and often confusing journey that God used to ultimately bring Marcus into the plan and purpose he was designed for: bring hope and healing to others around the world. Special Guest: Marcus Black.
162: How Are You Showing Up? - Laura Naiser
July 27, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 24 MBBecause of serious clinical depression in her mid-twenties, Laura couldn’t get off the couch, leave her house, or hold down a job. However, through divinely inspired events, she experienced such dramatic healing and transformation that she became head of discipleship for a 4,000-member church. This led to her becoming a powerful life coach who helps others identify and process negative emotions and mindsets so they can show up as the best version of who God created them to be. Special Guest:...
161: How it All Changed in a Moment - Joshua Brown
July 20, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBJoshua and his mom grew up on the streets of Nashville, living inside soup kitchens, church fellowship halls, projects, and low-income housing. At the age of 17 Joshua was a drug dealer, pothead, and high school dropout. He continued the drug-dealing lifestyle until he was 19 when he got into a terrible car wreck, and in that moment, everything changed because of what he heard the Lord speak to his heart. Special Guest: Joshua Brown.
160: The Life-Changing Power of God's Word - Tony Colson
July 13, 2023 10:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBWhile in his 20s, Tony became locked in fear and OCD, which lasted for 15 long years. He tried everything to eliminate it: prayer, fasting, counseling, anti-anxiety medicine, and nothing worked. Until one day, while washing his hands and then feeling like he needed to wash them again, he remembered a scripture that shifted his thinking and his actions. In that moment and going forward, he began to experience freedom because of the life-changing power of God's word. Special Guest: Tony Colson.
159: How Desperation Lead to Transformation - Judy Weber
July 06, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 23.9 MBJudy Weber was a self-proclaimed pro-abortion femi-nazi who made an internal vow to never "obey" her husband, unless it was on her terms. However, a series of unimaginable circumstances brought her to a place of total desperation. In that desperation she turned to the Word of God, then everything began to change. Now, she is a sought-after Christ-centered business coach helping high-achieving women of faith grow & scale a business of significance, God's way. Her core message is; "Go 'all ...
158: "Saying 'YES' to God's Promptings Totally Changed My Life" - Julie Richards
June 29, 2023 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.9 MBJulie wanted to be a school teacher. At the end of her degree program she was student teaching with someone who told her she had no business working with people, especially children, and would be better off working in a cubicle by herself never interacting with others. As a result, her confidence was decimated. It took her two years after that experience to find a teaching job because she didn't believe in herself. Then she met another teacher who began to pour truth into her. During tha...
157: How Little Disciplines Can Have Giant Results - Justin Janowski
June 22, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 25.7 MBJustin experienced a painful breakup in his 20’s that led to an honest evaluation of his daily disciplines related to eating, exercise, thinking, and how he connected with God. All these little disciplines stacked together became a tidal wave that began to impact everything, including his faith to say “yes” to the Lord’s promptings no matter how radical they seemed. The results have blown away his expectations. Special Guest: Justin Janowski.
156: The Incredible Power of God's Love - Paul Dabdoub
June 15, 2023 10:00 - 48 minutes - 34.3 MBAfter 9 years of some major life challenges that included his wife's chronic illness and losing everything, Paul had an encounter with God’s love that shook him to the core. His wife was radically healed, and a new dimension of knowing God, hearing His voice, and seeing healing was unleashed in his life. Special Guest: Paul Dabdoub.
155: "You're Either In or Your're Out" - Robb Kelly
June 08, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBAs an alcoholic, Dr. Robb Kelly went from married with children to losing everything and becoming homeless for 14 months. Then one night, in gut-wrenching desperation, he cried out to God saying, “I can’t do this anymore! God if you’re real, help me!” 30 seconds later, his prayer was miraculously answered. This started a sequence of astonishing events that led to a complete recovery. He says, “if you do not have a connection with God, you will not fully recover from alcoholism. You’re ei...
154: Finally Free - Eric Scroggins
June 01, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBEric carried shame, guilt, anger, bitterness, and emotional trauma from being sexually abused in his early teens. He coped by adopting a “win-at-all-costs” mentality. He couldn’t do anything without trying to be the very best at it because he needed to cover up what was going on so people wouldn’t ask questions about what might be happening inside his life. This went on for over 20 years until he had a profound encounter with God that led him onto a path of complete healing. Special Gu...
153: You Were Meant for More - Ashlee Branstetter
May 25, 2023 10:00 - 34 minutes - 24.7 MBBefore Ashlee’s mom died of cancer, she made her promise two things: always remember you were meant for more and always have faith. But she wound up living with a victim mindset surviving on a day-to-day basis for years. Then one day with the checkbook showing a negative $54 balance something broke inside. She started crying and fell on her knees in prayer saying, “I know I’ve been gone but I’m here now. What do I do? Because I can’t live this way anymore.” In that moment of desperatio...
152: Losing it All and Gaining Everything – Tim Winders
May 18, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 23.2 MBTim and his wife looked like they had it all: the big house in a Country Club resort, two businesses valued at over a million dollars each, plus over $15 million in real estate. Yet painfully and slowly they lost everything and wound up becoming homeless. Then at their lowest point, they gained a priceless supernatural understanding of God’s love that changed the entire trajectory of their lives. Special Guest: Tim Winders.
151: You Have One Life ~ What Will Be Your Story? - Elijah Stephens
May 11, 2023 10:00 - 31 minutes - 22 MBDuring the six years it took to create the powerful documentary, SEND PROOF, Elijah Stephens had to repeatedly ask himself this question: "On my deathbed, do I want my story to be that I knew I was called to do this thing, it got hard and I stopped, or that I persevered and finished, despite the setbacks and challenges?" In this episode, Elijah shares his experiences of working through PTSD, overcoming fear, the differences between intellectual and emotional belief, and the importance of grow...
150: A Radical Encounter with the Living God - Tamra Andress
May 04, 2023 10:00 - 41 minutes - 29.2 MBHard-driving, entrepreneurial, life of the party, fitness fanatic, wife, and mother yet, Tamra had no idea who she was until a radical encounter with the Living God changed everything. This led to a three-year process of transformation which obliterated shame and brought forth a life of freedom that she now helps others experience all over the world. Special Guest: Tamra Andress.