Christian Fellowship Community Podcast

George Blaha spent decades building a successful career, but success couldn't fill the void he was trying to escape. While his business flourished, alcohol slowly took control of his life, until one trusted friend challenged him to tell the truth. In this deeply personal conversation, George shares how his Catholic upbringing laid the foundation for a lifelong journey of faith, how Alcoholics Anon...

In this episode of the Christian Fellowship Community Forum, Padric Scott shares a powerful story of faith, perseverance, identity, and purpose. From growing up in Tallahassee surrounded by strong generational blessings and servant-hearted parents, to making a promise to his older brother at just six years old that he would one day make it to the NFL, Padric reflects on the moments that shaped his...

From a meteoric rise in corporate America to the center of one of the largest price fixing scandals in U.S. history, Mark Whitacre shares a story of ambition, conviction, and transformation. Rising quickly to become a top executive at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Mark was immersed in success, wealth, and a culture where illegal practices were normalized in pursuit of profit. At the height of his...

From growing up in Section 8 housing to leading at the highest levels of corporate America, Randy Melville shares a powerful story of faith, perseverance, and God’s guiding hand through every season. A graduate of Princeton University and former executive at PepsiCo and Frito-Lay, Randy reflects on the influence of his parents, the discipline and values instilled in his upbringing, and the moments...

From working multiple jobs and washing dishes at age 17 to serving 46 years later as Northwestern Mutual’s Executive Security and Transportation Assistant Director, Leroy Harmon reflects on the work ethic, faith, and perseverance that shaped his journey. He shares about a challenging childhood, the influence of family, and how God used every season to build compassion and purpose in his life. That...

Jeff Reeter shares a heartfelt and often hilarious message from the 2026 Regional Christian Fellowship Breakfast, reminding us that growth in both faith and leadership rarely starts polished. Through stories of polyester suits, early career missteps, big disappointments, and bold steps of obedience, he reflects on how God shapes us over time through humility, community, and delayed gratification....

From her adoption and early faith formation to years marked by addiction, recovery, relapse, and redemption, Lisa Dugal’s story is one of honesty, courage, and grace. In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Lisa invites listeners into the real and often painful journey of discovering belonging, surrender, and hope. With humility and vulnerability, Lisa reflects on the people God placed in he...

In this powerful conversation, Tonya Russo shares her journey of healing after being told as a fifth grader, “You can’t be a Christian unless…”—a moment that shaped years of confusion, anger, and distance from God. Tonya opens up about how that early misunderstanding of faith led her on a long path of rediscovering who God truly is, eventually igniting a deep passion for Scripture, discipleship, a...

In this vulnerable and powerful conversation, Brian Lester shares his remarkable journey from a turbulent childhood in small-town Missouri to finding stability, purpose, and ultimately a deeper understanding of God’s grace. He opens up about the painful experiences that shaped him—parental divorce, seasons of neglect, fear, and a lifelong pursuit of acceptance—and the pivotal moments that quietly...

In this powerful CFC Forum session, Walter Putnam shares his extraordinary life journey—a story marked by relentless perseverance, personal tragedy, and unwavering faith. From his early days growing up to becoming a top producer with Northwestern Mutual, Walter reflects on the hard work and discipline that shaped his career. He opens up about profound moments of hardship, including the heartbreaki...

In this compelling episode, Harry and Harriet Jones share their remarkable story of faith, struggle, and transformation. The Joneses open up about the challenges of success, financial strain, and personal failures that nearly tore their marriage apart. Through seasons of addiction, anger, and betrayal, God met them with grace. He brought mentors, hard truths, and moments of surrender that reshaped...

In this powerful episode, Lynne Streety shares her remarkable story—from a childhood marked by relentless performance pressure in a conservative Jewish home, to living her dream on Broadway, to the depths of an eating disorder that nearly took her life. Lynne shares how God placed people in her path who gently “dripped Jesus” into her life, leading her from a life built on perfectionism and provin...

In this powerful episode, Mike and Suzanne Mayernick share how faith has shaped every step of their journey. From raising a family of eight to founding Love One, a ministry serving malnourished children in Uganda, their story is a compelling portrait of radical obedience and trust. With honesty and grace, they reflect on what it means to follow God’s call—even when it leads into the unknown. Mike...

We welcome back Abby Tuttle for the powerful conclusion of her story—the first-ever Part 2 in Christian Fellowship Community Forum history. Abby, a Forbes-recognized wealth advisor with Northwestern Mutual, shares how God’s faithfulness has sustained her through seasons of deep grief, hard decisions, and quiet transformation. In this follow-up conversation, Abby opens up about choosing life for he...

We welcome John M. White, a top advisor with Northwestern Mutual and former managing director, as he shares a deeply honest and compelling journey of faith, identity, and surrender. From growing up in the Bible Belt surrounded by performance-based faith, to early career success that left him spiritually restless, John opens up about the moments that brought him to his knees—literally and spiritual...

From living in an abandoned house at 13 to becoming a successful professional at Northwestern Mutual, Abigail Tuttle’s story is one of relentless resilience, unexpected grace, and undeniable transformation. In this powerful episode, Abigail shares how a childhood marked by instability, poverty, and abandonment collided with the love of Christ—and changed everything. With raw honesty, she walks us...

In this candid and engaging conversation hosted by Mark Kull, Nate Kinzinger shares personal stories, spiritual insights, and his journey of faith within and beyond the workplace. Raised in a home shaped by ministry and service, Nate reflects on how his family’s legacy, early commitment to Christ, and key mentors have guided him through seasons of growth, leadership, and spiritual renewal. From hi...

In this episode, host Ron Jolson welcomes Emmanuel Ngaba Nfor, a man whose journey from Cameroon to the United States is marked by resilience, faith, and purpose. Emmanuel shares his upbringing in Cameroon, his family’s influence on his spiritual growth, and the transformative impact of an Ignatian retreat that deepened his relationship with God. He reflects on humility, forgiveness, and trusting...

We welcome Taylor Wiggins, a top financial advisor and founder of 21Five Capital Advisors. Taylor shares his inspiring personal journey—from an early faith commitment to professional success, and then to a season of struggle with misplaced identity, gambling, and spiritual drift. Through a moment of brokenness and surrender, Taylor experienced a profound renewal in his faith, leading to a transfor...

Mark Kull shares a powerful and relatable message from the Christian Fellowship Breakfast. With humor, honesty, and deep faith, he reminds us that sometimes the hardest part is just showing up—but when we do, God takes care of the rest. He talks about the importance of prayer, listening to God, and using our daily lives as a mission field, reassuring us that even when life feels uncertain, God is...

In this episode, best-selling author and keynote speaker Jon Gordon shares his powerful journey of faith, lessons on leadership, and insights into living a life aligned with God’s kingdom. He unpacks the meaning of discipleship and the true hope of transformation. Listeners will also hear about Jon’s latest book, The One Truth, and gain practical advice on navigating challenges like mental health...

Tune in as Bob Muzikowski shares his remarkable journey from overcoming challenges to making a lasting impact in underserved communities. As the founder of the Near North Little League, East Harlem Little League, and Chicago Hope Academy, Bob discusses his passion for using sports and education to foster hope and transformation. He reflects on the power of faith, the importance of running toward d...

Join us as Ben and Tammy Short share their powerful story of transformation and faith. Ben recounts his journey from pitching for the Alabama Crimson Tide and the New York Yankees' minor leagues to finding true purpose beyond performance and titles. Alongside his wife Tammy, a CPA and dedicated partner in life and work, they explore how their family navigated pressures, perfectionism, and a heart-...

Learn about Mike and Suzanne Mayernick's incredible journey of faith, family, and surrender. Hear how they’ve surrendered control of their carefully planned lives, embracing God’s calling in unexpected ways. From adopting children to navigating Mike's ALS diagnosis, their story beautifully illustrates the power of letting go and trusting God’s plan. Tune in for an episode filled with powerful less...

Despite a thriving career, Emily Halal found herself burned out and disconnected—until her faith led her to rediscover what truly matters. In this episode, she shares how surrendering control and embracing her faith helped her achieve a deeper sense of love and purpose in both life and work. If you're looking for fulfillment beyond success, tune in to hear Emily's inspiring journey to true love an...