Strangers on The Way

In this episode, Lauren interviews personal fitness trainers and men's ministry leaders Kip Pakrawan and CJ Novak. During the summer, Kip and CJ met a group of guys and began working out together. Their fitness community grew, anchored in faith, and continued to meet on Saturday mornings -- and Graceful Sons was born. In this episode, Kip and CJ share the journey as well as their personal sto...

In Episode 125, Lauren interviews Melanie Martinez, a teacher, mom, nature lover, and adventurer who lives in Mexico. In this episode, Melanie talks about a special flower encounter, how to experience God in nature, the power of your unique design, and ways to connect with God through journaling. Melanie is full of wisdom, perseverance, and joy.  - The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming th...

In Episode 124, Lauren interviews Clinical Nutritionist and "Health Detective" Jim Emkhe. Jim has helped people overcome health challenges for decades through his meticulous study of the human body. In this episode, Jim shares about the positive effects of fasting on our overall health, including how to start, its effects on the body, and how to do it well. Jim has seen clients healed fr...

In this episode, Lauren interviews Loving on Purpose senior leader Ben Serpell. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Ben followed his dream of ministry to America at the age of 18 where he met his wife, Brittney. Together they have three kids and are passionate about equipping people to cultivate healthy, whole families and marriages. In this episode, Ben talks about how to articulate having need...

In Episode 122, Lauren interviews a real life superhero, Lindsey Reiman. Lindsey is the founder of the spiritual intelligence company Aqua Regia, the equipping center called The Prophetic Labs, and co-founder of the SQ Institute. Because all prophetic people carry only a portion of the puzzle, she believes deeply in the power of teamwork and enjoys making connections between others to help the cle...

In Episode 121, Lauren interviews wife, mom and missions leader Shelly McCandliss. Shelly is a carrier of peace and unity and has served a Catholic community called the Chemin Neuf for a number of years. In this episode, Shelly shares about her experience building the friendship with the Chemin Neuf community, what it's like to lead with an empowering, trust-filled posture, and how her family...

In Episode 120, Lauren interviews 2024 USA Rowing Olympian Peter Chatain. Peter competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the men's eight in rowing. In this episode, Peter shares the beginning of his rowing career at New Trier High School and Stanford University and his journey to making the USA Olympic team. Peter also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look of the Pari...

In Episode 119, Lauren interviews east-coast native Michelle McIver. Michelle is passionate about the federal government and worked in areas like the Department of Justice in her 20s. She is launching an initiative called "100 Days of Blessing our Nation's Leaders" as we begin the new year and welcome a new administration in the United States government in January. (Check it out at...

In Episode 118, Lauren interviews founder of the Center for Play & Exploration Dave Bindewald. After shifting careers, Dave discovered that there is goodness everywhere in the world. Most of that goodness is hidden. The Center for Play & Exploration uses curiosity, divergent thinking, and freedom to fail to unlock hidden potential in teams, individuals, and organizations. In this episode,...

In Episode 117, Lauren interviews author, speaker and joy-activator Steve Backlund. Steve Backlund is a prolific encourager, catalytic author, joy activator, and revivalist teacher. He and his wife Wendy lead Igniting Hope Ministries and bring transformational levels of hope to churches and organizations around the world. He is uniquely gifted to release hope, joy, and healthy leadership everywher...

In Episode 116, Lauren interviews builder and creator Dele Okuwobi. Dele leads an organization called Wonder Association that helps church leaders build, create, innovate, and launch the dreams God has placed in their heart. In this episode, Dele shares about the innovation process of a builder and creator, how builders and creators are like scientists, and how failure is an integral part of the j...

In Episode 115, Lauren interviews teacher and brain cancer warrior Jacki Mjoen. Jacki is a middle school math teacher who helps her students overcome shame and the fear of not being smart enough. In 2022, Jacki received a brain tumor diagnosis and fought cancer. In this episode, Jacki shares wisdom she's learned by walking through the valley, how the Enneagram has helped her relationships, an...

In Episode 114, Lauren interviews French Catholic priest Romain Berthelot. Romain serves in a wonderful Catholic community called the Chemin Neuf. In this episode, Romain shares his journey to becoming a priest, reconciliation between family, and his process deciding to give up marriage to become a priest. The way Romain is loved by God and loves him in return is stunning. Stay for the end as Fath...

In Episode 113, Lauren interviews Italian-native Francesco Bianco. Francesco lives with a community in Italy and is passionate about praying for healing and people understanding their royal identity. In this episode, Francesco talks about how he found meaning from the movie Moana, shares miracles of healing he's witnessed, and prays for listeners at the end. If you are in pain, receive the pr...

In Episode 112, Lauren interviews brilliant, witty and connector of people Hannah Shallenberger. Hannah has served in higher education and K12 for her career helping to fulfill goals of students and organizations through fundraising. In this episode, we talk about the beauty of intentionally loving others (especially through the use of paper products!), what it's like to grow up in a big fami...

In Episode 111, Lauren interviews risk-taking introvert and people connector Jeffrey Clayton. When Lauren met Jeffrey, he was introducing himself to everyone in the room and she noticed his kind friendliness. What she didn't know was that Jeffrey had been quite shy growing up, but began striking up conversations with friends and strangers in an effort to become more connected to others. In th...

In Episode 110, Lauren interviews Jamaican Bishop Christine Haber. Christine was a Broadway dancer in New York, a travel agent, and began leading a ministry in Jamaica 23 years ago (and is celebrating the 23rd anniversary this month!). Christine's passionate faith is inspiring. In this episode, Christine shares her experience as a little girl being a friend of Jesus, what she's seeing ha...

In Episode 109, Lauren interviews Arizona-based wife, mom and political field representative Alyssa Goncales. Alyssa was a business owner and hair stylist for 21 years and a couple of years ago, a friend invited her to volunteer at a political rally and it lit a spark inside of her. Alyssa now works with Turning Point Action, helps lead a Mom's Coalition and educates people on the importance...

In Episode 108, Lauren interviews worldwide adventurer Eléna Kappers. Eléna grew up in Yemen with her parents (her dad is Dutch-Canadian and her mom is German), went to university in Scotland, and currently lives in England. In January, Eléna will board an Operation Mobilization (OM) Ship based in Taiwan that will travel throughout Southeast Asia throughout 2025. During her senior year at the Univ...

In Episode 107, Lauren interviews German-native Lea Schmehl. Lea is a joy-filled 21-year old student studying to become a math/geography teacher. In this episode, Lea shares about what it's like living in Germany, her experience working and serving children and teens, and Lea leads listeners into a beautiful imaginative encounter at the end of the episode. If you are in need of peace, this ep...

In Episode 106, Lauren interviews Netherlands-native Bertine Pas. Bertine is a teacher filled with so much joy and light! In this episode, Bertine shares about her adventurous summer across Europe, life in the Netherlands, and her journey of faith. Bertine is inspiring and full of life! - The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate lone...

In Episode 105, Lauren interviews leadership expert Dr. Derek Matthews. Derek lives in Arizona with his wife and three children and serves businesses through leadership consulting (Character Quest) and innovative growth solutions (The Patriot Pay). In this episode, Derek talks about the #1 secret the best leaders are doing, specific ways to build connections with people, and the future of AI. Dere...

In Episode 103, Lauren interviews the youngest guests on the Strangers on the Way Podcast, eight-year-old Valerie and five-year old Leon! Valerie and Leon are siblings and live in the Chicago suburbs. In this episode, Valerie and Leon joyfully share about their favorite things, including swimming, travel, ice skating and their family! This is a short and sweet episode you won't want to miss!...

In Episode 102, Lauren interviews author and entrepreneur Dr. Anne Beall. Anne has written numerous award-winning books and owned a research company that enabled her to learn about fairytales, love, and gender dynamics of men and women, among many others. In this episode, Anne shares about the surprising discovery of hidden messages in the Grimm's Fairy Tales, why women tend to lack confidenc...

In Episode 101, Lauren interviews La Toya Ormsby, Jamaica-native and Director of Client Services at a crisis pregnancy center in Maryland. In Jamaica, La Toya enjoyed mango season in the summer, jerk pits, drive-in movie theaters, and being surrounded by family and neighbors. In this episode, La Toya shares about her vision for setting a table through hospitality and what it has been like processi...