Grace Period

This week, we're joined by two incredible student leaders, Frankie Hartman and Makayla Fleming, from our Summer Adventure Camp. What makes their story so special? They once sat in the same seats as campers and are now helping lead the next generation. We talk about their favorite Summer Adventure Camp memories, how their faith has grown over the years, what they've learned through leader...

This week, Noel Thompson is joined by  friend Ashley Irvine for a conversation that is equal parts nostalgic, honest, and healing. Together, they look back on growing up in youth groups during the  early 2000s—a time of purity rings, WWJD bracelets, altar calls, youth conferences, and a lot of pressure surrounding faith, salvation, evangelism, heaven, and hell. But this episode isn't just abo...

This week on Grace Period, Josh Nauman is back alongside Noel Thompson as we welcome special guest Isaiah Salvador for a conversation about Pentecost, closing chapters, graduations, and the chaos of this time of year. As school years end and summer begins, life can feel exciting, emotional, exhausting, and nonstop all at once. Together, we talk about transitions, staying grounded during busy seaso...

We’re launching a brand new series called Member Series — conversations focused on getting to know the incredible people who make up Christ Lutheran Church. In this episode, I sit down with  CLC member Mike Jorgenson . Mike has spent decades in education. He’s also a Hall of Fame inducted coach, an All-American track & field athlete, and in 1982 had the 7th fastest time in the world in his eve...

This week, we sit down with Christ Lutheran Church member Michael Lingenfelter for a conversation about his journey to becoming an MAT practitioner and the important work he does helping people in recovery. Michael brings clarity to what MAT actually is, shares the heart behind his work, and talks honestly about walking alongside people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. It’...

This week, we talk with Nathan Howard, a California Highway Patrol officer (and CLC alum), about the realities of the job—what it demands, what it takes, and what it can cost. From everyday calls to high-stakes moments, this conversation gives a glimpse into a world most of us only see from the outside. But more than that, it’s a conversation about presence. About showing up. About treating people...

This episode wasn’t planned at all—it started with Molly and her friend Ryley walking into my office joking about recording a podcast… and then we actually did it. Molly returns for her second appearance, and Ryley jumps on the mic for the first time, turning a random moment into a surprisingly real conversation. We talk about what she’s been up to lately—from joining the church nursery and workin...

In this episode, “The Breaking Point: How Burnout Sneaks Up on You,” our co-host Josh Nauman leads the conversation into what happens when pushing through just… stops working. Not in some dramatic crash, but in the quieter, more familiar way—when motivation fades, energy dips, and even simple things start to feel heavier than they should. Josh guides us through how burnout builds slowly in the bac...

Leaving home sounds exciting…until you actually do it. In this episode, I sit down with a longtime friend who made a similar move—leaving Minnesota and building a new life here in California. We talk honestly about what that transition has really been like—the excitement, the challenges, and the moments where it hits you that you’re no longer where you grew up. We get into what we miss (and it’s n...

This episode is a bit of an experiment. We took the podcast out of the studio and into the chaos of Six Flags Magic Mountain to see what would happen. No perfect setup, no quiet room—just us, some mics, and plenty of background noise. Between roller coasters, crowds, and random interruptions, a father-daughter duo joins us as we talk about the mix of fun and fear that comes with riding coasters. I...

Holy Week is one of the most meaningful weeks in the Christian story—but it can also be one of the easiest to rush through. In this episode, Noel Thompson is joined by Josh Nauman as they slow things down and walk through what Holy Week actually is, what happens each day, and why it still matters in a real and honest way. From Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter, they talk abou...

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Treece and Bryson Johnson, two cousins whose lives are shaped by a shared love of sport and a strong family bond. Together, we explore how their relationship has grown both on and off the field—and how those experiences shape the way they compete, support one another, and navigate life’s challenges. They reflect on the role of family in shaping who they are...

In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Sean Ewbank to talk about his recent trip to the Middle East and the powerful experiences that come from stepping outside your everyday world. Travel has a way of changing how we see things—our faith, our culture, and even our priorities. Pastor Sean shares stories from the places he visited, the people he encountered, and the moments that left a lasting im...

Life can feel like a constant balancing act. Work, relationships, responsibilities, expectations—it’s easy to keep piling things on until something starts to tip. In this episode, we talk about the tension between having a full life and having too much on our plates. We also take a moment to recognize how fortunate we are to live in a place like America, where we often have so many opportunities,...

In this episode, we’re diving into something every community faces sooner or later—those moments when a big event, a conflict, or a story online ripples through a school, workplace, or town and suddenly everyone feels it. These moments can stir up strong emotions, strong opinions, and sometimes real confusion about how to respond. And even when the headlines fade, the weight of it often follows us...

In this upcoming episode, we step into the sacred season of Lent — forty days of repentance, reflection, and renewal. Beginning with Ash Wednesday and leading us to the cross on Good Friday, Lent invites us to slow down, take an honest look at our hearts, and cling more deeply to Christ’s mercy and God's grace.  Lent isn’t about earning God’s favor. It’s about returning to the cross — trustin...

In this week’s episode, the conversation features our very own co-worker and music minister, Paul Delgado, as he shares a thoughtful and down-to-earth look at what vocation really means. The episode explores how Paul first sensed his calling, how music became a place of purpose for him, and how he continues to grow into the work God has placed before him. Listeners will hear honest reflections, li...

In this episode, we slow things down and lean into the power of devotionals—those quiet, intentional moments that shape our faith day by day. Whether you’re consistent, struggling to stay focused, or just starting out, we’ll explore why devotionals matter, how they deepen our relationship with God, and practical ways to make them part of real life (not just the “perfect schedule” life). Expect hon...

Anxiety is something a lot of us deal with, even if we don’t always have the words for it. It can look like overthinking, constant stress, or that uneasy feeling that never quite goes away. In this episode, we sit down for an honest, relaxed conversation about what anxiety is really like and how it shows up in our lives.  We talk about why anxiety can be so persistent, what makes it harder to mana...

Do you remember being a senior in high school and feeling the pressure of having to decide what you wanted to do for the rest of your life? In this episode, we sit down with Evan Judson, who went through that same experience. Evan is currently in college working toward becoming a music teacher, and he talks about his love for music, how God has played a role in guiding his journey, what inspired h...

What does it mean to grow up without a permanent home and still find your way? In this episode, we sit down with someone who spent their childhood navigating the foster care system. Through honest reflection, they share stories of instability, resilience, and the moments that shaped who they are today. Every childhood is different, and every childhood comes with its own challenges. This week, we’r...

Remember when the holidays felt endless—long breaks from school, magical traditions, and the pure excitement of waking up with nothing to do but celebrate? In this episode, we reflect on how the holidays have changed since we were young. From shifting family traditions and busier schedules to nostalgia, growing responsibilities, and evolving meanings of celebration, we explore what we’ve gained, w...

Did you know National Pumpkin Pie Day is on Christmas? Noel had no idea, and he had thoughts about it. On today’s episode, Noel Thompson is joined by Laurie Werner, who is in her third year of teaching kindergarten in Visalia, California. Laurie and Noel discuss the challenges and joys of teaching young children and how her faith supports her in her vocation. Hope you enjoy the episode! 

Noel Thompson is joined by Molly Ridenour as they debut the very first Grace Period Podcast. They talk about the random holidays in December and go over the "Weird Stat of the Day." Molly discovers that her friends are in fact twins, and Noel talks about why he started the podcast. Hope you enjoy the pod!