Ordinary People Extraordinary Things

What happens when secrets protected for survival become the very chains that imprison us? Cecilia McCaw knows this journey intimately. Smuggled into the United States as a child and living undocumented for years, she guarded family secrets out of necessity. But even after gaining legal status, those secrets morphed into shame-filled barriers that prevented authentic connection and perpetuated lies about her worth.

"Kn...

We've all been caught in the trap of responding "crazy busy" when someone asks how we're doing. But what if our obsession with busyness is actually preventing us from living our true purpose?

In this soul-stirring conversation, Nancy Brusher reconnects with her high school friend Muffie Kruse to explore how simplifying our lives can lead to greater fulfillment. Muffie, a registered dietitian and homesch...

Do you ever wonder if Sunday church attendance is enough to build lasting faith in your children? This question lies at the heart of my conversation with Shawna Goldstein, a passionate Bible teacher and mother of three teenage boys who's on a mission to equip parents for their most important role - discipling the next generation.

Shauna shares a startling statistic that changed her perspective: while about 60% of Americans iden...

What happens when a skeptical news reporter becomes a passionate advocate for faith? Jennifer Dukes Lee's extraordinary journey from doubt to dedication reveals how persistent questioning can lead to profound belief.

Jennifer opens up about her background as a journalist who interrogated presidential candidates with the same rigor she later applied to scripture. With refreshing honesty, she admits she doesn't hav...

What does it take to truly change a life marked by decades of addiction and incarceration? For Jamie, it was an encounter with Jesus in the most unexpected place – a jail cell where she faced a potential 27-year sentence.

In this raw and powerful conversation, Jamie takes us through her journey of repeated imprisonment that began at age 24. After a divorce left her questioning her identity as both a wife and mother of five, she turn...

The differences between persecuted and comfortable Christianity create drastically different faith experiences, as Sunny reveals in this compelling continuation of our conversation in episode 99. Having lived and served in three different continents, Sunny offers rare insights into how comfort—while a blessing from God—can silently become our greatest spiritual danger.

"Comfort can be deadly because there is no depend...

Three husbands break the silence surrounding miscarriage, sharing their unique perspectives on pregnancy loss and the impact it had on their marriages and faith journeys. Chris (Nancy's husband) hosts this special 100th episode featuring brothers-in-law Jeff and Chance as they discuss their experiences supporting their wives through miscarriage while processing their own grief.

• Jeff shares his regret about missing t...

Sunny's journey from the brink of suicide to becoming a missionary in America will leave you breathless. Born into a broken Hindu family in India, he witnessed his mother's crippling depression, his father's alcoholism and financial ruin, and his sister's suicide attempts – all before he turned 18.

When his mother finally left as she had long threatened, Sunny found himself on a rooftop ready to end his life. In ...

Faith and finances don't often mix in our conversations, but what happens when financial crisis forces you to completely redefine your relationship with money? Raychel's story will challenge everything you thought you knew about God's role in your financial life.

When a casual decision to take Financial Peace University collided with losing 85% of her family income through an unexpected layoff, Raychel faced...

Van Harden, former WHO radio host of 35 years, shares his journey of faith and insights from his book "Jesus, the Prequel." He explains how understanding Jesus' existence before Bethlehem transformed his perspective on scripture and deepened his relationship with Christ.

• Living faith authentically in secular radio without explicit rules
• Discovering Jesus in Old Testament "Christophanies" li...

Darcy reveals her journey as "God's problem child" in this deeply vulnerable conversation about finding faith through life's unexpected divine interventions. As a fifth-generation Iowa farmer and storyteller who grew up feeling like an outsider in church settings, Darcy shares three remarkable stories that challenged her skepticism and revealed God's presence in undeniable ways.

When her grandmothe...

Julie’s journey is one of astonishing resilience and transformation. From surviving a childhood marred by abuse and trafficking to finding hope and healing, her story is a powerful reminder how God can use pain to bring purpose. In this episode, discover how Julie navigated the complexities of life between an abusive household and the loving home of her aunt, a journey that ultimately led her to speak out against her past and seek ...

What if revisiting familiar stories could open up a world of new insights and growth? Join us as we sit down with Brad, an inspiring teacher from Walking the Text, to uncover the enduring power of storytelling woven into Biblical narratives. As we explore how Walking the Text has transformed our family's homeschool experience, we promise you'll gain fresh perspectives on even the most well-known tales. Brad's passion...

Curtis is back and continues his story today. You all loved his story (#84) so much he's on to share more...

• Rediscovering life in the aftermath of incarceration 
• Embracing God's forgiveness and moving forward 
• Transforming a jail cell into a mission field 
• Overcoming shame and understanding remorse 
• Navigating the challenges of re-entering society 
• Finding purpose and relationships post-rel...

What happens when you mix resilience, faith, and the power of forgiveness? Join us as we welcome Havva, a talented songwriter and singer from England, who shares her inspiring journey from a strict Muslim upbringing to finding her own way. At just 16, Havva ran away from home, facing a harsh reality on the streets filled with struggles like drugs and violence. Yet, her story is one of hope, as she speaks candidly about the complex ...

What happens when a simple money-saving idea transforms into a thriving online platform? Meet Crystal, the Money Saving Mom, who joins us to share her incredible journey from a tiny basement apartment to launching a successful financial career. Crystal's story is not just about financial triumphs but about embracing failures and staying true to one's unique calling. Through her experiences, she inspires listeners to pursu...

What can you learn from ordinary people doing extraordinary things? Find out as we celebrate both the Christmas season and the conclusion of Season 6 of Ordinary People Extraordinary Things. As we prepare to ring in 2025, we're thrilled to announce the exciting lineup of guests that will kick off Season 7 on January 5th, featuring thought-provoking stories and valuable insights. Get ready to be inspired by Brad Nelson from Wal...

Ever wondered how to tailor your parenting approach to fit each unique child in your family? Join us for a heart-to-heart with Dawn, a remarkable mother of nine from Iowa, whose journey of intentional parenting is nothing short of inspiring. Dawn opens up about the trials and triumphs of adapting her parenting style to nurture the distinctive hearts of each of her children. She underscores the importance of granting ourselves grace...

Today, we welcome Lauren to Ordinary People Extraordinary Things, where she shares her gripping story of resilience and faith. At just seven years old, her world changed dramatically when her father kidnapped her to Jordan, sparking a courageous rescue mission that would later inspire a movie.

Join us as we recount the tense and emotional operation led by a team of former military personnel. This heart-pounding chapter of her life i...