Made to Advance with Brian Aulick

Emily Scarlett is an anchor on WZZM 13 On Your Side’s morning news telecast. She tells the story of her path in journalism from Great Falls, Montana to the Quad Cities of Iowa & Illinois to Columbia, South Carolina and most recently Grand Rapids, Michigan. Emily and Brian talk about the importance of storytelling, working with a dynamic team, and how faith shapes our worldview. Links & Epi...

Jordan Humbarger and Roger Cruz are teaching pastors at Engedi Church in Holland, Michigan. They are back for another episode where they join Brian to talk about how Christians should engage with culture and politics while maintaining biblical truth, and why sharing truth with courage is the most loving thing we can do. Links & Episode Notes MTA Episode 49: Fighting our spiritual battles with...

Dr. Derwin Gray is a former NFL defensive back, having played with both the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers for a total of six seasons. He is also the lead pastor of Transformation Church in South Carolina, which he co-founded with his wife Vicki in 2010. Derwin and Brian talk about the importance of multi-ethnic church communities and how we can share our faith naturally with a world...

Ben Kasica is the former lead guitarist for the Christian rock group Skillet. In 2011 he left the band, following a path that led him to form Skies Fall, an entertainment-based agency and production company operating out of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Nashville. He and Brian talk about pursuing your passions with boldness, faith, and courage. Links & Episode Notes Ben Kasica (IMDB) Skillet TRIBL...

Roger Cruz and Jordan Humbarger are teaching pastors at Engedi Church in Holland, Michigan. The three of them talk about the spiritual battles we face, and how disciplines like Bible reading, prayer, and maintaining a good conscience are the protection we all need. Links & Episode Notes Jordan Humbarger (Instagram) Engedi Young Adults Roger Cruz Engedi Español Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan B...

Stephen Brewster is the founder of The Harmony Group, a Nashville-based consultancy that helps manage and coach worship teams around the world. Stephen shares about his journey from working in the music industry, moving on to church leadership, and now putting it all together with THG. Links & Episode Notes Stephen Brewster The Harmony Group Engedi Music TobyMac Gotee Records dc Talk Saddlebac...

Kevin Rodrigo is a former Navy SEAL and founding partner of Starfield Front, an investment firm focused on great American businesses. Kevin and Brian talk about the challenges of leaving military service and returning to civilian life, and how crucial it is to maintain relationships and find community. Kevin also shares about his experience volunteering with LifeCampUSA, an outdoor adventure progr...

Fred Stokes is a former NFL defensive end and Super Bowl XXVI champion with the then Washington Redskins (now Commanders). Fred is also founder and CEO of LINT Brother, a ministry focused on seeing men become emotionally free. He and Brian talk about the challenges of professional sports and God’s plan and provision for every setback. Links & Episode Notes Fred Stokes L.I.N.T. Brother Greenewa...

Norm Wielsch served as a police officer in the San Francisco Bay Area for 26 years until a neuromuscular disease led him down a path of addiction, crime, and eventually prison. While incarcerated, Norm found his faith, earned several degrees, and even wrote books on recovery and healing. He and Brian discuss his unlikely path to brokenness and redemption. Links & Episode Notes Norm Wielsch Neu...

Jess Ronne is a mother of eight, author, and founder & executive director of the Lucas Project, a non-profit organization supporting special needs families. She shares her family’s incredible story of courage, tragedy, faith, and endurance. Links & Episode Notes Jess Ronne The Lucas Project Coffee with Caregivers UNSEEN documentary The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard Celebratio...

Dr. Nijay Gupta is a New Testament scholar and author of twenty-five books, including Tell Her Story, Strange Religion, and The Affections of Christ Jesus. In this episode, Nijay and Brian talk about the true nature of discipleship and how love and service are at the heart of Christian maturity. Links & Episode Notes Dr. Nijay Gupta Tell Her Story Strange Religion Slow Theology podcast Seattle...

Jeff Manion is an author and teaching pastor at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jeff has served at the church for over 40 years, and he and Brian talk about slow and steady faithfulness and why it’s important to “love the process, not just the prize.” Links & Episode Notes Jeff Manion Ada Bible Church The Land Between Satisfied Dream Big, Think Small Pete Scazzero Winning on Purpos...

Yarian Rosado is the Creative & Worship Pastor at Engedi Church in Holland, Michigan. Yarian shares about growing up in the church, his early entrepreneurial endeavors, and answering the call to join Engedi in 2021. He and Brian talk about Engedi’s songwriting culture (including a new album release!) and what it means to maintain a posture of humility, giving God the glory for all He’s done. L...

Noah Filipiak is a pastor and author of Beyond the Battle: A Man's Guide to His Identity in Christ in an Oversexualized World. He and Brian talk about the prevalence of sexual sin, namely pornography, in our society and even in the church. Noah shares how community is essential for recovery and how we can have hope through accountability and faith. Links & Episode Notes Noah Filipiak Mosaic Ch...

John Ortberg is a pastor, author, speaker, and now leads Become New, an online ministry for life change and spiritual community. He and Brian talk about how spiritual disciplines fuel personal growth and surrender to God. Links & Episode Notes John Ortberg Become New If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinar...

Jason Romano is an author, speaker, former ESPN producer, and the host of the Sports Spectrum podcast. Jason shares how he landed his role with Mike & Mike and how opportunities like that show and his current role with Sports Spectrum have given him a platform to share his own faith and highlight the faith of professional athletes. Links & Episode Notes Jason Romano Sports Spectrum podcast...

Kyle Zunker is a lawyer, endurance athlete, and author of the book Amazing Courage: Letters to My Father on Conquering Fear Through Faith. Kyle shares about his path from atheism to belief in God, all while winning battles over panic attacks, fear, and anxiety. Links & Episode Notes Kyle Zunker Kyle A Zunker (@kyleazunker) • Instagram Amazing Courage: Letters to My Father on Conquering Fear Th...

Brendon Coe is a hip hop artist and music producer who’s collaborated with big names like NF and Dwayne “The Rock“ Johnson. In this conversation, he and Brian talk about overcoming personal struggles like addiction and an absent parent. Brendon also shares about his creative path and dreams for the future. Links & Episode Notes Brendon Coe (Instagram) FL Studio The Edge Urban Fellowship The Cr...

Austin Hatch is a motivational speaker and author of the G.R.I.T. framework for thriving in the midst of adversity. Austin survived two plane crashes but tragically lost his parents and his siblings. He and Brian talk about how anyone could possibly recover from such loss and how Austin has pursued big dreams with integrity and faith. Links & Episode Notes Austin Hatch Simon Skjodt Assembly Ha...

Jeff Disher is an engineer and founder & chairman of DISHER, an engineering design and product development company in Zeeland, Michigan. Jeff and Brian talk about the risk his family took starting the company in 2000 and how focusing on people over profits may have paved the pathway to success. Links & Episode Notes Jeff Disher (LinkedIn) DISHER Hope College Engineering Department | Hope C...

Larry Osborne is the teaching pastor and Kingdom Ambassador at North Coast Church in San Diego, California. He’s written a number of books, many focused on encouraging the next generation of pastors and other spiritual leaders. Larry and Brian talk about the importance of community and relational health, as well as church growth and revival following the COVID-19 pandemic. Links & Episode Note...

Tommee Profitt is a prolific music producer and songwriter who has collaborated with major artists like NF and Josh Groban, composes TV and movie music that’s been streamed billions of times, and even wrote a Christmas album with an epic live performance that has become an annual tradition at the Grand Ole Opry. Tommee and Brian talk about his creative process and how his faith informs all that he...

Juanita Bocanegra is the 58th District Court Judge in Ottawa County, Michigan. Juanita shares about her journey growing up as the child of migrant farm workers to becoming the first in her extended family to graduate from high school. She and Brian also talk about the gift of education and what it means to balance work and family life. Links & Episode Notes Juanita Bocanegra (LinkedIn) Juanita...

Scott Baker is the President and CEO of National Nail, a building materials manufacturer and distributor with headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In this episode, he and Brian talk about what it means to integrate faith into the workplace and how doing so has helped transform National Nail into a global manufacturer. Links & Episode Notes Scott Baker (LinkedIn) Craig Bahner (LinkedIn) SLI...

Purdue University grad Mike Luepke has been in the fitness industry for nearly 20 years and runs a gym called Valeo / Training with his wife, Jessica. Mike has also faced significant visual impairment after being diagnosed with Stargardt Disease. He and Brian talk about the importance of gratitude, even in the midst of significant challenges and limitations. Links & Episode Notes Mike Luepke H...