In a short period of time Cindy Humes lost her beloved husband Lee to COVID and her mother also passed away. Her grandson was born prematurely at 26 weeks, and her daughter was very ill. It was an overwhelming season of loss. But she had a purpose. Twenty years ago, she and her husband had opened Deep Within Rehab, a self-supporting men’s residential drug and alcohol recovery facility. And those men were depending on her. This is not just a story of one person overcoming loss, but a much larger ...
Mar 09, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 45
It is no small feat to make a lasting impact on the fifth largest city in the county. But in more than 30 years in urban ministry, Billy Thrall has done just that. He’s worked with a diverse population in a ministry resource center context, and has connected churches to serve the underserved in our community. The list of organizations he has partnered with includes Mission Increase, CityServe Arizona, HopeFest Phoenix, Mission Connexion Southwest, Movement Day Arizona, Governor’s Office of Youth...
Mar 02, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 44
Jeff Berggren earned three bachelor degrees: in radio and TV broadcasting, business administration, and public relations. That combination helped make him the perfect person to open a location for Huntington University in Arizona. The main campus of the university is in Huntington, IN, where Jeff served as Chief Enrollment Officer for 21 years before being asked to lead the team to start Huntington University Arizona. Classes opened in 2016 with programs offered in film production, animation, br...
Feb 23, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 43
Pastor José González is one of those people “everyone” in the community knows, but ask each of those people what he does and you will get a wide range of answers. That’s because José has touched lives in many ways. He is the founder of the Annual Law Enforcement and Firefighters Prayer Breakfast. He has coordinated large events including evangelistic crusades, Christian concerts, and training events for Hispanic churches. He is a hospice chaplain. He’s authored three books. Most of all, though, ...
Feb 16, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 42
Life has its challenges, but it’s how we handle them that makes the difference. David Blakeslee started out with a lot of those challenges, ranging from homelessness to addiction. Fortunately, his story didn’t end there. Today he not only is a successful Realtor, but is head of a nonprofit called Blessing Broker, that works on special projects both locally and around the world to encourage generosity, impact lives and equip others to help. He’s also finished his first book called “It MUST Be a G...
Feb 09, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 41
Research indicates that at least 70 percent of students arriving on college campuses with Christian leanings ultimately lose their faith. John Leggat wants to arm students with the tools they need to bring the light of Christ into both Christian and secular college settings. “The Warrior Class is a four-day course for recent high school graduates with TED talk type training videos on topics ranging from “Defending Your Faith” to “Choosing Healthy Lifestyles.” Click here to learn more about The W...
Feb 02, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 40
He grew up the son of missionaries in Mexico and Texas, then went on to study communications. All those pieces of his background are invaluable in Levi Park’s current position as Chief Ministry Officer with the Luis Palau Association. The Palau Association has shared Jesus Christ with more than one billion people around the globe for more than 60 years. Levi oversees festivals and City Gospel Movements, and works to unite churches, mobilize people, and transform cities worldwide. Click here lear...
Jan 26, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 39
Jeff Blake’s children are all fourth-generation students at Phoenix Christian Preparatory School. And as the school superintendent, nothing could make him happier. Phoenix Christian was founded in 1949 as the state’s first Christian High School, and now serves infants through 12th-graders in the heart of the city. Jeff himself began as a teacher there in 1997, and is passionate about how the role of the school has changed to serve a diverse community, reflecting the neighborhood that has grown u...
Jan 19, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Robert Vera has a background filled with accomplishments. Bestselling author. Triathlete. Entrepreneur. Photographer. Investment banker. Staff assistant to Senator Edward Kennedy. He believes the right relationships deliver hope, and are conduits to new ideas, resources, and beliefs. His mission is to infect everyone he meets with an “epidemic of hope.” As founding director of Grand Canyon University’s Canyon Ventures Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, he believes entrepreneurs change t...
Jan 12, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 37
David I. Deyhimy, MD, built a career as a respected anesthesiologist, when he turned his focus onto reducing pain of a different sort. As an addiction medicine specialist, he approaches addiction not as a moral failing, but as a chronic and treatable disease of the brain. He is dedicated to helping those suffering from drug addiction and preventing overdose deaths from opioids using medical research and evidence-based drug and alcohol addiction treatments. He uses Medication-Assisted Treatment (...
Jan 05, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 36
At one point in Mia Koehne’s life, she sank so low into sin and shame that she felt broken beyond repair. Today, however, she rejoices in her restoration, and shares a story of hope through her singing and songwriting. Her life as a performer and speaker takes her on the road much of the year, an interesting proposition for someone who describes herself as an extreme introvert who loves people. In 2014 she co-founded a national tour called Aspire Women’s Events which visits 80-90 cities each yea...
Dec 29, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Ryan Dickinson has learned you don’t have to graduate from seminary to be a minister. He says God has placed him in a series of assignments throughout his career to help others learn how to minister in the marketplace. That journey brought him to lead the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI). He believes you also don’t have to become a pastor to help others find Jesus. Anyone can embrace the role of a servant leader. Learn about the unexpected turns Ryan’s path has taken, and ...
Dec 22, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 34
John Hanrahan has led a super-charged life, from a world-class wrestler to model on magazine covers and trainer for the stars. But it was his struggle with addiction and near-death experience that gave his life meaning. When he saw his son heading down the same path, John resolved to do everything he could to help young people gain a strength far different from the physical training he was known for. His story is both stunning and moving. Click here learn more about John Hanrahan: https://www.jo...
Dec 15, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Dan Volcko has served on the Phoenix Fire Department more than 20 years as an engineer and paramedic. But 10 years ago, he started working with a new series of partners who use their super powers of scent to find buried victims. Dan is a canine handler, combining his expertise as a structural collapse specialist with the powerful abilities of his canine partners, Merlyn, a 7-year-old black Labrador Retriever and Delta, a yellow lab still in training. Learn how they save lives as a team, and the ...
Dec 08, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Ken Priddy is trained as a pastor with degrees including a Doctor of Ministry and a Doctor of Philosophy. But his calling is in helping to motivate and equip other pastors and leaders to revitalize their churches. His skills are in more need than even as denominational churches are dealing with issues from fallout from the pandemic closures to reaching a younger audience and political polarization. To learn more about The GO Center, click here: https://gocenter.works/ Original air date: December...
Dec 01, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Linda Pauling’s story starts as unspeakable tragedy for her family, but she has helped turn it into a story of unspeakable joy for families all over the world. In the spring of 1980, her 7-year-old son Chris had already been battling leukemia for years. His doctors told Linda he may be approaching the end of that struggle. Knowing that Chris loved all things to do with the police, his mom reached out to friends and in the course of just a few days created his dream day that included rides in pat...
Nov 24, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Jane Babcock is third-generation Army, and as she says, “damn proud of it.” And that’s why she’s dedicated herself to helping veterans get the help they deserve. She served four terms of active duty, and 13 years in the Army Reserve. Today she’s “serving” in another way, by donating her time to veterans and their families to help them get the benefits they need through counseling them, group presentations, and virtual classes. Click below to learn more about services available from the Veterans ...
Nov 17, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Doug Mummert’s 36-year career as a fire fighter covered a lot of territory, from firefighter to EMT, paramedic, hazardous materials technician, engineer, captain, public information officer, battalion chief, division chief and ultimately fire chief. He is using that wealth of experience to continue serving the department as president and chairman of the board of the Phoenix Fire Foundation, the department’s nonprofit arm. If you think the foundation’s main project is the popular Hall of Flame mu...
Nov 10, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Dr. Loretta Cheeks is a powerhouse, in every sense of the word. She is recognized globally as a senior executive leader, an entrepreneur, a proud GEM Alumni, a recognized expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI), computing and technology. She’s all that and more. Yet despite the accolades and honors, what makes her heart beat quicker is helping underserved kids succeed in the sciences as a STEAM educator and advocate. She formed the Strong TIES STEAM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts...
Nov 03, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 27
Dawn Trapp holds a degree in travel and tourism, but her life-work has taken her on a “journey” of a different kind. When she first started as a volunteer with Camp Civitan, it was a 15-acre wheelchair accessible facility in Williams, AZ that offered programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities, operating on a budget of $250,000 year. In 2001 she became the first executive director of the Civitan Foundation, and today the organization has a budget of $7 million that provides ...
Oct 27, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Carey Peña is an Emmy award–winning journalist, having spent more than two decades in front of the camera covering news and politics in Arizona and nationally. Today, she’s using her storytelling talents to inform, inspire, and engage communities with the power of optimism. As founder and CEO of Inspired Media 360, she is able to be more personally involved in her stories than she could working at a news station. She uses that to give voice to her passion for justice and service. Carey also inst...
Oct 20, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 25
When Josh Newell started with The Jesus Film Project in 1998, the movie had already been circling the globe for nearly 20 years. After three years in production and filming, Warner Brothers, in cooperation with Campus Crusade for Christ® (Cru®), released “JESUS" in 1979. Filmed on location in Israel and starring local actors, the impact of the two-and-a-half-hour film was only beginning. Today, The Jesus Film Project has materials available in 2,033 languages. The original film has been joined b...
Oct 13, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Amy Fa'atoafe, the youngest of six, remembers when her father’s entrepreneurial spirit was crushed by the need to support his young family. While is was a disappointment to him at the time, it led to his using his degree as a marriage and family counselor and ultimately the formation of the Native American Fatherhood & Families Association. Twenty years later, Amy serves as executive director of the organization, which has impacted a stunning 240 tribes in North America, and trained more tha...
Oct 06, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Jeff Taylor was a stock options trader on Wall Street. Just years later drugs led to his living under a bush in Phoenix. He battled addictions, the law, but was given a second chance when attending The Salvation Army treatment program which he credits with saving his life. He was so impassioned about his journey out of prison and into life, that he walked into the Arizona State Capitol and began talking to legislators, resulting in the passage of a bill that has resulted in a 60% reduction in re...
Sep 29, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 22
You may think the fact that Harry Brown has traveled to 70 countries is remarkable. But that’s nothing compared to the fact that it’s all been for the organization he leads, New Generations, which has catalyzed the planting of more than 92,000 churches. That’s 92,000 churches. More than two million new believers. Harry has worked for New Generations (formerly Cityteam International) for 48 years and says the approach of supporting disciples making disciples results in compounding the increase in...
Sep 22, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Kathy Mason grew up in a military family where her life was filled with frequent moves, and no mention of a faith walk. From that beginning, learn how she ultimately found her calling 38 years ago in working with youth through the Young Life organization, and now is also a professor at Arizona Christian University, impacting lives and grooming tomorrow's leaders. Hear her stories of healing, growth, and how just "showing up" and building relationships can change lives! Click here to learn about ...
Sep 15, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Chris Rodriguez graduated from Berkeley with a degree in political science and a string of academic honors. His talents could have taken him anywhere in the world. He also grew up with a brother who had intellectual and developmental disabilities, and watched the challenges he – and his parents – faced. As a result, Chris has devoted his career toward solving the problems facing those with disabilities. His passion led his to his position as President & CEO of Ability360, one of the nation’s...
Sep 08, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Jim David had a successful career as a commercial photographer and videographer for the travel industry. But when the pandemic hit, that melted away in a moment. In the introspective time that followed, he realized he had received the most satisfaction in the creation of a short documentary about his son’s summer camp coach, who was battling cancer. In the course of that journey, the coach shared how he had learned to be thankful for the cancer. Since then, Jim has chosen projects about helping ...
Sep 01, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 18
It’s hard to describe who Jannah Scott is in just a few words. She’s been called a mobilizer, a mediator, reconciler, a uniter of people. She currently is bringing pastors and leaders together to unite the church in Arizona and was recently named as one of Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women for 2022 for enhancing the community in meaningful ways. She leads with her faith, and has made her mark in organizations ranging from Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), to Arizona Faith Network and as ...
Aug 25, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Chances are, if you don’t have someone in your family struggling with drugs or alcohol, you know someone who does. Merilee Fowler has made it her life mission to save lives. And what she’s accomplished will amaze you. She’s executive director of MATFORCE, an anti-drug organization based out of Prescott Valley that educates and raises awareness about substance abuse and helps facilitate policy changes. She’s also head of Community Counts, and founded the Substance Abuse Coalition Leaders of Arizo...
Aug 18, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 16
