The Pastor’s Studio with Paul Basden

  What happens when the faith you inherited leaves you searching for something more? In this episode of This Is My Story, Paul sits down with Mandy Hinerman to explore her journey from a Jewish upbringing to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Raised in a family that faithfully observed Jewish traditions and holidays, Mandy spent much of her life believing in God, but never truly knowing Hi...

At just 14 years old, CeCe has already faced a struggle that many students—and adults—know all too well: anxiety. In this honest and encouraging conversation, CeCe shares how anxiety began affecting her life, faith, friendships, and school experience, and how God met her in what felt like a dark season. Alongside her mom, Ryan, she reflects on the role of community, counseling, prayer, and honest...

What happens when Scripture comes alive—not just on the page, but beneath your feet? In this special episode of This Is My Story, Paul is joined by his wife, Denise, to reflect on their recent journey through Greece tracing the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. Together, they share stories, insights, and meaningful moments from walking through places like Philippi, Thessaloniki, Athens, Corinth, Ephe...

What happens when the version of Jesus you learned growing up doesn’t match the Jesus you encounter in Scripture? In this episode of This Is My Story, Paul sits down with Aubreigh Cox to explore a journey from fear-based faith to a deep understanding of God’s grace, love, and peace. Raised in a highly rule-focused and performance-driven religious environment, Aubreigh spent much of her life believ...

What happens when the house gets quiet, and you’re left rediscovering who you are without the rhythms of raising children? In this episode of This Is My Story, Paul sits down with Rick and Clancy Denton to talk about marriage, parenting, faith, and learning to embrace the empty nest season with intentionality and hope. After spending decades raising two children in a Christ-centered home, Rick and...

What do you do when life doesn’t go the way you planned—and the questions feel bigger than the answers? In this episode, Paul sits down with Jamie Bryson to explore a story marked by faith, doubt, resilience, and an unshakable trust in God. From a late introduction to faith in high school to pursuing a PhD in Hebrew Bible, Jamie’s journey was rooted in a deep desire to understand God and help othe...

What happens when God doesn’t answer your prayer the way you hoped? After fighting to save their marriage, Matt and Mary Beth believed the hardest chapter was behind them. But then came a diagnosis no parent is prepared for. Their unborn daughter had a fatal condition. No cure. No chance of survival. And they were faced with an unthinkable decision. In Part 2 of their story, Matt and Mary Beth sha...

What happens when a marriage slowly drifts… and no one realizes how far it’s gone? Matt and Mary Beth Bridges both grew up in church. They knew about God. They believed the right things. They started their marriage with love and good intentions. But underneath the surface, cracks were forming. Distance. Unmet expectations. Lack of communication. And a growing loneliness neither of them knew how to...

What if the marriage that started with love… still started falling apart? Andy and Summer Butler didn’t come into marriage empty-handed. They brought past pain. Different faith journeys. Blended family complexities. And expectations no relationship could carry. What began as connection quickly revealed deeper issues — control, unmet expectations, communication breakdown, and wounds that hadn’t ful...

What if the person who led you to Jesus… was your child? The Wagner family didn’t all come to faith the same way. Catherine’s journey began with curiosity — a friend whose joy didn’t make sense, mission trips that changed her perspective, and a growing desire to truly know Jesus for herself. At the same time, her parents, Robyn and Justin, were living what they call a “check-the-box” faith — showi...

What happens when the life you’ve built starts to quietly fall apart? Ron Daniels’ story is one of success on the outside — and struggle beneath the surface. For years, he carried pressure, expectations, and hidden pain. What began as coping slowly turned into dependence… and eventually, addiction. But even in the lowest moments, God had not stepped away. In this episode, Ron shares: The subtle pa...

What happens when faith feels more like performance than relationship? Taylor White grew up in a small Texas town where faith, family, and church were central to life. Saved at eight and raised in a Baptist church, Taylor always tried to do the right things — the right choices, the right behaviors, the right path. But underneath the surface was a deeper struggle. For years, Taylor approached faith...

What happens when the life you carefully planned suddenly changes? Eunice Nakamura’s story is one of courage, calling, and surrender. At age seven, she immigrated from Korea with her single mother, not speaking English and stepping into an entirely new world. Years later, that same determination led her through Baylor, law school, and a successful legal career, eventually becoming general counsel...

What if “forever” didn’t last? Troy and Holly never imagined divorce would be part of their story. Both grew up in strong Christian homes. Both entered marriage believing in forever. Both experienced betrayal, heartbreak, and the painful unraveling of life as they knew it. In this episode, they share: The emotional shock of divorce Wrestling with anger, grief, and unanswered prayers Learning to tr...

What if the life you built on your own terms still left you empty? Jarod Taylor grew up in chaos — broken homes, addiction, instability, and learning early that if anything was going to work out, it would be on his terms. God wasn’t someone he hated. God just wasn’t real. Through his teens and 20s, Jarod became his own authority — chasing women, music, nightlife, success, and control. Eventually,...

What if the faith you thought you had wasn’t the same as surrender? Jason Kanapkey grew up in church. Baptized at eight. Knew the language. Believed in Jesus. But by 12, he was experimenting with drugs. By 16, chasing highs. By 17, couch-surfing and barely holding life together. He believed in God. He just wasn’t following Him. Years later, sitting on his couch as a young adult, reading Scripture...

What do you do when the faith you inherited never brings the peace you’re promised? Suzanne Hancock was born and raised in the Mormon (LDS) church. She followed the rules, did what was expected, and built her identity around a faith tradition handed down for generations—yet peace always felt just out of reach. In this episode, Suzanne courageously shares her long, honest journey of seeking truth:...

What happens when the life you’re chasing leaves you empty.. and God meets you at rock bottom? Jackson Ford didn’t grow up deeply rooted in faith. For years, God felt distant - something reserved for holidays and church buildings, not everyday life. College only amplified that distance as partying, addiction, and isolation quietly took hold. Then everything changed. In this episode, Jackson shares...

Raised in a deeply Mennonite home, Brad Brenneman grew up surrounded by faith, service, and spiritual discipline. But it wasn’t until adulthood—after success, ambition, and an unexpected sense of emptiness—that grace became personal. In this episode, Brad shares a story best described as “surprised by grace”: Growing up with a strong spiritual heritage—and learning faith for himself Leading busine...

Tim Johnson was serving as a senior pastor when he received a life-altering Parkinson’s diagnosis. Overnight, certainty disappeared, plans unraveled, and the future became fragile. In this second episode of This Is My Story, Tim shares the story after the diagnosis: Hearing the word Parkinson’s and choosing not to waste it Letting go of leadership, identity, and control Learning to trust God witho...

Carly Patterson was just 16 when she won Olympic gold - then suddenly had to figure out who she was without gymnastics. In our first episode of Season 3: This Is My Story, Carly shares the rarely told story after the medals: The identity crisis that followed peak success The pressure to live up to “gold” for the rest of her life Her unexpected faith journey when control slipped away A painful seas...

In this powerful season finale of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, host Paul Basden sits in the guest chair—interviewed by creative pastor and longtime friend Allison Harrell. Together, they explore Paul’s personal journey as an Enneagram Type 1 (The Reformer) and how understanding his type has shaped his spiritual life, leadership, and relationships. With honesty, humor, and deep s...

This episode takes a second, deeper look at the Enneagram Type 9—this time through the voices of two leaders on the Preston Trail staff: Ryan and Cody. With humor, vulnerability, and relatable honesty, they explore what it means to lead, parent, partner, and grow as Nines in a church setting. Ryan and Cody share openly about their experiences as Nines working closely together, leading teams, raisi...

This episode explores the Enneagram Type 9: The Peacemaker, featuring two authentic and engaging voices—Robin Johnson and Denise Basden. Both share openly about their upbringing, personality patterns, life as pastor’s wives, and their unique journeys toward emotional and spiritual maturity. Their stories highlight why Type 9s are often called “the sweethearts of the Enneagram.” Drawing from real s...

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do: Exploring the Enneagram, host Paul Basden interviews longtime friend and co–senior pastor Jim Johnson for an in-depth, engaging, and heartfelt look at the Enneagram Type 8 personality—the Challenger. Jim shares his moving family story, including the life-altering accident that shaped his parents’ faith and filled his childhood with unconditional love. From...