Sidewalk Conversations

Valerie shares her powerful journey from growing up on a Texas farm to finding redemption through adoption and learning to listen to God's voice in unexpected ways.

• Lived on a small farm in Texas for the first 17 years of her life
• Found healing and family when adopted by a childless couple from her church
• Stepped down from youth ministry after 10+ years when God clearly said it was time
• Became a fu...

Natalie shares her journey from skeptical teen to passionate social media manager and youth leader at Shoreline Church, revealing how God met her in her darkest moments and transformed her life.

• Finding faith during COVID through a devotional book found in a junk drawer
• Building and leading a social media ministry team at Shoreline Church
• Using technology and social media to share the gospel and invite people...

Tyler Hake shares his journey from business owner to faithful Christian, recounting how a near-death experience with carbon monoxide poisoning and his parents' health struggles led him to discover purpose beyond himself.

• Growing up in a tight-knit entrepreneurial family in Madison, Wisconsin
• Struggling through traditional education before buying a window cleaning business
• Surviving carbon monoxide poison...

Kyle O'Neal, Creative Arts Pastor at Shoreline Church, shares his journey from childhood musician to worship leader and how his faith shaped his path through church planting, cross-country moves, and creative ministry leadership.

• Growing up in Atlanta with his father as primary influence and role model for serving in church
• Making cassette tape "radio shows" at age six and receiving his first real gu...

Denise Jackson shares her extraordinary journey of faith through floods, teenage marriage, and raising children, revealing how documenting God's faithfulness became her anchor through life's storms. She offers powerful insights from 50 years of marriage and explains how seeing God at the center rather than as one slice of life transforms every challenge.

• Surviving a devastating flood in Wimberly just months aft...

Meg Hiney shares how she transformed her passion for wine into the Hutto Wine Bar, creating a unique space that spotlights female winemakers while balancing family life, entrepreneurship, and personal health challenges.

• Growing up with a father who loved exploring wines, especially from California
• Moving to Hutto in 2011 and recognizing the need for a local wine bar
• Creating a business that specifically showc...

Carly shares her powerful journey from cancer diagnosis to healing through an integrative approach that honors both conventional medicine and holistic therapies, all while staying true to her entrepreneurial spirit and faith.

• Diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 33 after having her first baby
• Discovered the root cause was a dental infection from a college accident years earlier
• Took an integrative approach at...

Karin’s grand adventure includes being raised in South Africa, excelling at tennis, losing her father to cancer - a tragedy which opened the door to meeting her Heavenly Father.  It’s also a story of prophetic dreams, beautiful confirmations, rich relationships, miraculous provisions, and a move across the world… by faith…

• The remarkable life of a centenarian who plays tennis at 103 
• Living beyond oneself: the powe...

This episode features a heartfelt conversation with my mother, who shares her insights and experiences from nearly a century of life. She reflects on the importance of support systems, the healing journey of forgiveness, and maintaining balance in a world full of division.

• Celebrating a significant birthday milestone 
• Emphasis on the role of family and friendships 
• Growing up during World War II and living th...

What shapes a storyteller bound to faith? Journey with us as we explore this question with David Peters, a pastor's son turned filmmaker who finds his life's work interwoven with the teachings of his childhood. Through memories of his father's pioneering efforts in ministry and his mother's compelling biblical tales, David shares how these early influences forged his path toward a career in Christian filmmaking....

Ever wondered how a Boy Scout's cooking hobby could turn into an award-winning salsa business? Meet Gerald Bailey, whose extraordinary life path has taken him from being delivered by the Prince of Thailand to culinary success. Raised in a multicultural military family across Thailand, Spain, Portugal, and the U.S., Gerald's childhood was filled with unique experiences that shaped his resilient spirit. Join us as he shares...

What happens when the paths of engineering and faith intersect within a family known for its spiritual leadership? Join us as my brother, John Koch, shares his enlightening journey from a household of pastors to a career in engineering. Through humorous anecdotes and heartfelt memories, we explore how our father's subtle influence and passion for innovative projects might have inadvertently steered John toward his vocation. Wh...

What would you do if you found yourself facing a life-altering diagnosis? Join me, Pete Van Ward, as I recount my personal battle with cancer, from the harrowing experience of undergoing major surgery to the relief and joy of being declared cancer-free. My journey has been incredibly challenging, but also deeply rewarding, particularly through creative collaborations like the Instagram Reels project with filmmaker Martin Zavala. To...

Ever wondered how someone transitions from a stable ministry role to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship? Join us as we catch up with Jennifer, a beloved guest from our first season, who’s done just that. Her story is one of resilience and reinvention, as she leaves behind an eight-year tenure at Shoreline Church to launch a successful career as a virtual executive assistant. Jennifer's journey didn’t stop there—she al...

In this episode of the Sidewalk Conversations Podcast, we’re joined by Jared Jolly, entrepreneur and owner of the innovative new Pickleball Kingdom. Jared shares his journey from selling his former business to starting a pickleball facility, guided by a mix of business savvy and strong faith. With refreshing honesty, he discusses the joys and challenges of co-parenting his grandson, balancing risk-taking with spirituality, and how ...

In this powerful episode of the Sidewalk Conversations Podcast, we sit down with Crystal Rodenbaugh, owner and head counselor at Tenfold Counseling in Kansas City. Crystal opens up about her deeply personal journey through loss, resilience, and the pivotal moments that shaped her into the empathetic leader she is today. From growing up in the midst of family tragedy to helping others navigate trauma, Crystal shares insights into th...