Amazing Greats

Imagine not making your high school varsity basketball team, standing just 5’7”, and thinking your dream of making it in the game you love is unrealistic. That was Ryan Carr’s reality. But what seemed hopeless, was really the beginning of a bigger story—one that would take him from writing a bold letter to coaching legend Bobby Knight, to working side-by-side with Larry Bird, and eventually to his role as Senior Vice President of P...

What happens when a commercial airline pilot hears God’s call to take flight on a mission bigger than himself? Ted Greenfield went from teacher, TV producer, and FAA employee to the founder of Invisible Angels—a nonprofit airline that provides free transportation to survivors of human trafficking. His journey is filled with unexpected turns, divine provision, and miracles that only God could orchestrate.

In this episode of Amazing G...

In this gripping episode of Amazing Greats, we sit down with renowned cinematographer and documentarian Michael Lienau, whose life was forever changed by the eruption of Mount St. Helens, May 18 1980. At just 20 years old, Michael found himself trapped at ground zero with a small film crew during the volcano’s second major blast—an ordeal that turned into a four-day fight for survival. From melted boots and eerie silence to blindin...

The operating room is his happy place.  Doing God's healing work with the audio backdrop of Contemporary Christian music and an occasional Bible quiz with his surgical staff.  Dr. Robert Kayal has build a "one stop" orthopedic care empire.  The 20 Kayal Orthopedic Centers in New Jersey and New York were born out of  his love of God, love of people, gifted hands, and an innate desire to "fix things". 
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Steve Siler has written hundreds of songs , nine of them were #1 Christian Contemporary songs and 45 of them top 10. His songs have been recorded by some of the countries biggest stars...Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, Patty Labelle, the Oak Ridge boys and others. To say the very least his song wrting skills are a true gift from God.

Born out of his love of music at a very early age, combined with finding his way to Jesus...

Hearing Christian stories in their triumphs and challenges is always inspiring.  In this episode we're tracking the journey of musician, songwriter, worship team member and church planter, Jesse Butterworth.  While many Christian lives start with their roots in early family life, most blossom later as we grow, mature and come to a true relationship with Jesus, in a real way.  And every story is unique.  Jesse's "mome...

His music career exploded within a year.  From being a camp worker, councilor and worship leader at the Catholic Damascus summer camp in Ohio to world renown Christian Music artist...24 year old Seph Schluter's life long love of Jesus unfolds in this episode of Amazing Greats.   
"Counting My Blessings" was his breakout song and has been streamed over 100 million times in English and many million more in Portugue...

Starting her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 15, Nicole Jansen utilizes her wealth of experience and divine guidance to empower leaders. She collaborates with small family-owned businesses, large franchise groups, and major corporations. In this episode, Nicole reveals her top 3 leadership skills, highlights common leadership errors, and much more.

Beyond offering practical advice on cultivating mindset and leadership abilitie...

God "shows off" with powerful miracles in the lives and stories of his people.  And that is what the Amazing Greats podcast does;  shares those stories.

 Joe Wankelman's story is an inspiring showcase of God's goodness.  From a childhood of drama with his mother pretty much disappearing and his dad self focused, he was mostly raised by a caring grandmother.  Joe didn't read until he was in 7th grad...

Suffering can be the gateway to a deeper relationship with God.  For Jimmy Pena, it was a defining moment, that changed everything.  It was the beginning of a climb up his second mountain. 

A lifelong Christian....his relationship with Jesus and his life purpose made a 180 degree pivot after a devastating diagnosis and health crisis.  At first it resulted in his questioning everything, re-working his life and heading down...

Bill Yeargin leads a billion dollar boat and marine supply super company on a culture of service. Service to the industry, yes, but just as important is the service to his 2000 employees as well as serving humanity through dozens of mission trips to underprivileged communities in countries around the world. 

Correct Craft was founded 100 years ago with a mission to "build boats for the glory of God."  That remai...

Dave Dravecky, a left-handed major league pitcher who played for the Padres and Giants, brings his infectious zest for life and his compelling life narrative to this episode. He recounts his personal faith journey, starting from a seemingly mystical encounter with God on a playground at the age of 12, a memory that has stayed with him for over 50 years. His path to a deeper connection with God was marked by various pivotal moments,...

Here is the heartwarming story of  a man and his canine police partner.  Mark Tappan,  a self confessed "non-planner",  found his way on the perfectly (divinely?) planned  career trajectory that lead him from a "Jesus epiphany" in the US Marine Corp,  to youth pastor to police officer and then the human companion of  A DOG NAMED MATTIS.   Now with 5 million followers on social media and a new book,  he shares hi...

A $300  a month job, with very little status or perks, upended his career trajectory and shaped Doug Burleigh's next 50 years.  As a "Young Life" summer camper in his teens  he  uncovered what a relationship with Jesus looked like.  After excelling in academics in high school and college, it appeared he'd laid the ground work  for a career to skyrocketing career with several lucrative and prestigious options.  B...

Here is the story of a small town boy, who among other things, toured 1100 high schools across the country, spent a year in the Neitherlands,  hosted a talk radio show, helped found a thriving church 28 years ago and uses humor as a primary tool to introduce and share with people the love and grace of Jesus.  Rick Enloe, author of the book, "Low Hanging Truth"  is  an awesome story teller who learned the importance of tea...

What I love about this episode is how fun, human, unique and authentic our guest is.
His name is Keith Koldsbaek,  but from his story, in the next few minutes...you will also get to know more about hydroplane race driving legend  Chip Hanauer,  as well as Kaitlyn, Dee Dee and Bella.  You'll find out about how Nascar driver Jimmy Johnson ended up standing on the sponson of a hydroplane with hydroplane driver icon Bill Munc...

You'll love this story of a young "feeling" kid, who is ADHD, filled with anxiety and lacking in self confidence but ends up as a Super Bowl champion in the NFL and a sought after speaker and author.  In this episode we walk through the up and down seasons in the life of Seahawk's long snapper, Clint Gresham.
 As a boy growing up in Texas, church was always a part of his story....but it became the focus of ...

There are few people who have had more experience capturing the world of sports in the written word.  Particularly baseball and golf.  John Strege spent over 40 years sharing the highest and lowest moments in sports and everything in-between.  His one-on-one connection with sports stars and celebrities give him a unique frame of reference and has offered him a distinctive opportunity to share some of the most amazing stories in his...

He was the lead singer of one of the worlds most popular rock bands, and hung out  with the likes of Smokey Robinson, The Pointer Sisters, Earth Wind and Fire and more.   Leon Patillo was the lead singer for Santana and his music career was legendary.   In the late 70's his life pivoted and he made the dramatic switch to what turned out to be the very beginnings of Contemporary Christian Music.  Creating music that worshiped G...