Bridging the Gap Podcast

Episode 125: A conversation with wife, noni, pastor, coach, and 2026 Lund Leadership Award recipient, Tina Von Wald, and our host, Mykelti Blum. Tina talks about her reaction to receiving the award and shares about what she’s been up to in retirement. Tina and Mykelti dive into the topic of identity and self-awareness. Tina is passionate about balancing confidence in yourself with humility in Chri...

Episode 124: A conversation with Director of Bridging the Gap, Angie Goetz, and BTG Podcast Host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, Angie shares about all of the exciting things we can look forward to at this year’s Thrive Conference. She shares details about the incredible speakers, worship, exhibitors, and all things Thrive. Angie and Mykelti also discuss the theme of obedience and chat about the i...

Episode 123: A conversation with wife, mother of six, and Executive Director and Co-Founder of Agape Community Services, Rachelle Rawson, and our host, Mykelti Blum. The two pick up right where they left off in part one ( Episode 93 ). Rachelle shares her story of starting a ministry and explains the heart behind the work she is so passionate about. She also shares about her journey with cancer an...

Episode 122 – BTG Listener-Favorite Series: A past conversation with Dr. Allen Tennison, Ph. D.–theological counsel to The General Council of the Assemblies of God and chair of its Commission on Doctrines and Practices–and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, they discuss our sometimes-cultural assumptions of the Old Testament, why we need to know the Old Testament to better unde...

Episode 121: A conversation with pastor, evangelist, and professor Elise Wood. In this episode, Pastor Elise and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum, talk about lessons Pastor Elise has learned being a female in ministry . Pastor Elise is passionate about reaching the next generation for the Lord and training up young people in vocational ministry. She shares about how God is Who calls us into ministry...

Episode 120 – BTG Listener-Favorite Series: A past conversation with best selling author, speaker, and podcaster Carey Nieuwhof and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, you will hear Carey share insight about making choices today that will help you thrive tomorrow. He also touches on the idea of breaking a stress cycle and moving towards a thrive cycle to help you maximize the tw...

Episode 119: A conversation with leadership speaker and BTG Advisor Dolores Smith and our host, Mykelti Blum. These two talk about navigating difficult conversations and dealing with conflict in a healthy way. Dolores is passionate about providing training for conflict-resolution, as conflict is an unavoidable part of life. Dolores and Mykelti debunk the myth that having difficult conversations is...

Episode 118 – BTG Listener-Favorite Series: A past conversation with Minnesota Church Multiplication Director, church-planting pastor, husband, and dad, Pastor Doug Vagle, and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, you will hear Pastor Doug share about his heart for church planting, how he ministers to both new and seasoned believers simultaneously , as well as encouragement for ho...

Episode 117: A conversation with daughter of the King, wife, mama to four, Executive Director of Reckless Abandon Ministries, and Bible teacher, Aminta Geisler, and our BTG Podcast host, Mykelti Blum. These two talk through Aminta’s new Bible study, The Great 8 , focused on the Beatitudes and what Jesus has in store for us through these important principles . She is passionate about teaching...

Episode 116 – BTG Listener-Favorite Series: A past conversation with author, speaker, and church planter Pastor Peter Haas and our BTG Podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, you will hear Pastor Peter’s powerful testimony of coming to Christ, how we can show the light of Jesus in all settings, and what it means to have true happiness . You will love this discussion around his boo...

Episode 115: A conversation with author, school teacher, storyteller for the Story Maker, and seeker of wisdom and truth, Cally Logan. Cally and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum, discuss what it looks like to find your identity and confidence in Christ . She shares her journey of leaving the marketplace to pursue the call God has placed on her life to encourage others. She has a passion to show wome...

Episode 114 – BTG Listener-Favorite Series: A past conversation with pastor, writer, and Bible teacher Becky Meyerson and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, they discuss Becky’s Bible study, Courageous Pioneers , what tends to hold women back from starting new things , and four biblical examples of powerful women pioneers. Find Becky’s books, including Courageous Pi...

Episode 113: A conversation with coach, speaker, author, and wife Gina Lokken. In this episode, Gina and our host, Mykelti Blum, discuss all things strengths, spiritual gifts, and calling . Gina shares her journey of leaving her career behind to become a life coach. She is passionate about helping individuals understand themselves better and, in turn, better understand the Lord. Gina and Mykelti a...

Episode 112 – BTG Listener-Favorite Series: A past conversation with marriage coaches and speakers Kari and Derek Staaland (they also happen to be sister and brother-in-law to BTG Director, Angie Goetz) and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, they discuss biblical perspectives on conflict resolution , powerful communication tools and priorities within marriage, as well as the NU...

Episode 111: A conversation with author, speaker, and podcast host Lisa Whittle and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, Lisa and Mykelti discuss the heart behind Lisa’s new Bible study, Body & Soul . Lisa shares her personal experience navigating body image and addresses the many challenges women often face in this area. They also explore what it looks like to center our bod...

Episode 110 – BTG Listener-Favorite Series: A past conversation with national speaker and author, Julie Fisk, and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, they discuss how every woman is a potential leader . Regardless of whether we as women are leading teams at work, volunteering, or caring for mini-me’s in the home, we are influencing those around us! Julie and Mykelti unpack persp...

Episode 109 –  a conversation with speaker, pastor, consultant, and writer Portia Allen and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. These two dive into the challenges of navigating God’s calling on our lives , share their personal experiences dealing with comparison and jealousy surrounding spiritual gifts, and discuss the importance of cheering one another on within a strong Christian community. Po...

Episode 108 – BTG Listener-Favorite Series: A past conversation with pastor, author, and podcaster Havilah Cunnington and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, they discuss boundaries and some of Havilah’s journey in understanding what boundaries meant for her. She shares practical tools and insight into how to incorporate boundaries within friendships, careers, and self care. Whe...

Episode 107: a conversation with evangelist, pastor, and co-founder of Mac Ministries and Everyone Everywhere, Micah MacDonald, and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. This recording took place in front of a live studio audience during the 2025 Single Moms Retreat. Micah and Mykelti discuss forgiveness–what the Bible has to say and the journey of God’s interactions of forgiveness with humanity....

Episode 106: a conversation with author, speaker, radio host, and friend of Bridging the Gap, Susie Larson, and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. This recording, sponsored by Steinle Law PLLC, took place in front of a live studio audience during the 2025 Thrive Conference. Susie and Mykelti discuss living in the love of God versus the fear of man . You will hear them share about mindsets, times when...

Episode 105: a conversation with wife and mother of three Dana Ross and our host, Mykelti Blum, as they discuss the nuclear family. What was God’s design for family, and how does the enemy attack the family relationally and systematically? Dana offers loads of wisdom and practical tools ranging from teaching our children the truth of God’s Word to thinking critically for themselves to creating bou...

Episode 104: a conversation with husband, father, and businessman Derek Staaland and our podcast host, Mykelti Blum, around the topic of tithing, offering, and generosity. You will hear Derek share his financial testimony and how his seeing God’s provision in such big ways grew a desire to teach on the importance of tithing and giving back to God what is His. Finances can be a touchy subject...

Episode 103: a conversation with coach, author, mentor, and the founder of Perfectly Made Ministries, Brandi Ramirez, along with our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. In this episode, Brandi shares about the day her ministry launched when she went to a park in obedience, wondering if anyone would show up. Her mission through Perfectly Made Ministries is to bring women into a closer relationship with Jes...

Episode 102: a conversation with author, preacher, and teacher Kevin Senapatiratne, along with our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. Pastor Kevin travels the world talking about Jesus and prayer through his ministry, Christ Connections. He and Mykelti discuss spiritual warfare, which is the topic of Kevin’s new book, Spiritual Warfare for the Normal Christian . They talk about common myths and discernin...

Episode 101: a conversation with wife, mom, therapist, and consultant Mallory Kurkosky, along with our podcast host, Mykelti Blum. Mallory shares how a BTG missions trip to a safe house launched her business that raises awareness of and supports mental health service providers. This is a unique conversation surrounding the challenges of ministers and mental health professionals who do the hard wor...