Old Paths New Steps

From battalion chief to world champion disc golfer to international course designer, Paul Wright's journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Paul shares how God healed him of cystic fibrosis as a toddler, gave him a dream that launched his firefighting career at 32, and then used his love of disc golf to serve communities across Africa, Central America, and beyond through the Paul Mc...

In this episode, Peter takes us through part of the introduction of a book he's working on. He explores how a simple question—"If our church disappeared, would anyone notice?"—led to a profound discovery about trauma, community, and hope. When their church decided to serve a low-income neighborhood, they thought they understood poverty and struggle. Then they learned about ACEs—Adve...

What happens when good intentions meet hard realities? Brandon Steiver's calling to "run an orphanage in Africa" led to eight transformative years in Tanzania and a shocking discovery: 80% of children in orphanages worldwide have living parents. Brandon shares how this revelation shifted his focus from institutional care to family strengthening, and discusses his current work with C...

Dr. Gregory Coles returns to explore how our modern understanding of identity has everything backwards. Discover why the Latin root of "identity" points toward sameness rather than individuality, what it means to find belonging as an outsider, and how God shows up in unexpected ways when we stop trying to predict where the wind will blow. Greg shares insights from his upcoming books on s...

Dr. Luman Wing returns to discuss his groundbreaking book "Genes of Eden," where cutting-edge epigenetics meets ancient theology. Discover how your environment literally rewrites your genetic expression, why trauma and redemption can both echo through generations, and how 4th-century theologian Augustine of Hippo might have been ahead of modern science. From the molecular science behind...

We're thrilled to bring back this powerful conversation with Dr. Lumen Wing as he prepares to release his groundbreaking book Genes of Eden. In this episode, Dr. Wing—a biochemist, pastor, and chaplain at the San Diego crime lab—reveals the fascinating intersection of faith and science through epigenetics. Discover how trauma literally leaves "black marks" on our genes, why authenti...

Peter shares important updates about Old Paths New Steps, including Josh Lott's decision to step back from regular hosting to focus on family, and our move to bi-monthly episodes. We honor Josh's incredible contributions while looking ahead with excitement to continue meaningful conversations about faith and life. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Pastor and former police officer Lonnie Arnold shares his journey from black church upbringing through interracial marriage and law enforcement to founding the Racial Reconciliation Network. Drawing from personal experiences and scripture, Lonnie explains why racial reconciliation isn't just a social issue but a gospel issue, arguing that while the church excels at vertical reconciliation wit...

In this episode, Peter and Malissa chat with biblical scholar Hakeem Bradley about his journey from the Five Percent Nation to New Testament PhD studies and his recent work at Bible Project. Hakeem shares his passion for reading Genesis through ancient eyes, explaining how biblical authors "sampled" creation stories like hip-hop artists sample classic tracks. He also discusses his leap o...

In this powerful episode, host Peter Voorhees and co-host Malissa Bertella sit down with Cameron Horner, who shares his remarkable journey of faith following a life-altering spinal cord injury at age 18. With striking honesty and grace, Cameron recounts how God met him underwater during the accident that left him paralyzed, and how this moment of crisis became a catalyst for profound ministry. The...

What does it really take to build authentic community where people actually belong? In this honest conversation, Peter, Josh, and Malissa explore the beautiful mess of real relationships—from opening your gate to neighbors who don't look like you, to sharing Red Bull spritzers with guarded teenagers, to navigating church hurt and disagreements without losing each other. They get real about wh...

Join us for a compelling conversation with Annie Horner, a counseling associate who reveals how understanding our personal stories can transform leadership and relationships. Annie shares powerful insights on breaking free from isolation, bridging the gap between biblical wisdom and mental health, and finding authentic connection in a performance-driven world. Discover practical strategies for shr...

In this vulnerable and heartfelt conversation, Peter Voorhees sits down with Father Rob Steinbach, who shares his journey from Acts 29 church planter to founding Shalom Anglican in Silverdale, WA. Father Rob opens up about his spiritual dissatisfaction that led to more contemplative practices, his disconnect with personality-driven ministry, and the challenging process of following God's call...

In this episode, hosts Peter, Josh, and Malissa discuss their conversation with Dr. Chan Hellman about the science of hope. They explore how hope requires goals, agency, and willpower—elements that can be shared within community. The hosts emphasize that the church is uniquely positioned to foster hope, especially for those in survival mode. They highlight that true hope isn't just believing...

In this powerful episode, host Peter Voorhees sits down with Dr. Chan Hellman, Director of The Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma, to explore the transformative science of hope. Dr. Hellman shares how hope functions not merely as a feeling but as a powerful framework that can be taught and cultivated, especially in the face of trauma and adversity. Discover the difference between w...

In this episode of "Old Paths New Steps," hosts Peter Voorhees, Josh Lott, and Malissa Bertella explore the powerful concept of the wounded healer. The conversation examines how our personal wounds and struggles can become sources of ministry and healing for others when properly integrated into our stories. The hosts share personal experiences of using their own pain to connect with and...

In this episode, hosts Peter, Josh, and Malissa discuss their conversation with theologian Dr. Jerry Sittser. They explore how monasteries historically served their communities rather than existing in isolation, examine the relationship between church and state, and discuss how the church's true power comes from the Holy Spirit rather than political influence. The hosts reflect on what renewa...

In this episode, hosts Peter and Malissa welcome distinguished theologian, scholar, and author Dr. Jerry Sittser to explore Christianity's resilience through history's darkest moments. Dr. Sittser shares how the Benedictine monastic movement emerged during societal collapse and natural disasters in the 6th century, quietly preserving knowledge and faith for future generations. Through hi...

In this episode of Old Paths, New Steps, hosts Josh, Pete, and Malissa explore the concept of sacred spaces as safe places. They journey from the Garden of Eden through biblical history to modern churches, examining what makes a space truly sacred. The conversation delves into how vulnerability, accountability, and cherishing others are essential elements for creating healing environments where pe...

In this thoughtful follow-up conversation, hosts Peter Voorhees, Malissa Bertella, and Josh Lott unpack their interview with Dr. Gregory Coles, reflecting on the beauty of embracing our "misfittedness" within authentic Christian community. The hosts share personal stories of awkwardness and not fitting neatly into expected boxes, while celebrating how diverse communities enrich our lives...

In this episode of Old Paths, New Steps, host Peter Voorhees welcomes author and speaker Dr. Gregory Coles. They explore the power of resilience through community, discussing how genuine connections help us navigate life's challenges. Greg shares insights from his personal journey as a celibate gay Christian, reflecting on unexpected friendships and the importance of curiosity rather than jud...

In this follow-up episode, hosts Peter Voorhees, Malissa Bertella, and Josh Lott discuss key insights from their conversation with Andrea Corbridge about implementing trauma-informed care in children's ministry. They explore the value of focusing on resilience over trauma, the importance of presence and connection before content, and how creating safe spaces allows people to truly be seen and...

In this illuminating conversation, host Peter Voorhees and co-host Malissa Bertella welcome Andrea Corbridge to explore how trauma-informed care has transformed children's ministry at City Chapel of Bremerton. Andrea shares powerful stories of moving from behavior-focused approaches to relationship-centered care that honors each child's dignity, including the paradigm-shifting moment whe...

In this episode of Old Paths, New Steps, hosts Peter, Josh, and Malissa reflect on their enlightening conversation with Dr. Lu Wing about the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, epigenetics, and human connection. They reflect how genuine laughter creates powerful neural bonds (what Dr. Wing calls "limbic lock") and share personal stories of deep connections formed through shared jo...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Luman Wing, a biochemist, pastor, and chaplain. With his unique blend of scientific expertise and pastoral heart, Dr. Wing explores how our bodies respond to trauma and healing at the molecular level. Discover how the emerging science of epigenetics intersects with building authentic community and faith-based healing. From the biochemistry of human...