The Story Partners Podcast

Afshin Javid grew up in Iran under strict Islamic law. He loved Allah and was willing to kill, and even die for him. After a supernatural encounter, he starts to question everything and the foundation of his faith begins to crumble. *Listener discretion is advised* Warning: This episode deals with the topics of  Islamic martyrdom and violence; listener discretion is advised. For more information a...

Join us as we kick off Season 3! In this episode, Walt and Annie chat about all things Story Partners - how we got into this work, why we create this podcast, and what you can look forward to in Season 3. It’s an informal conversation where you’ll get a little more behind-the-scenes info with co-founders Walt and Annie Manis. Our first story in Season 3 releases one week from today!

Tim Halfin heard that a local boy had been missing for three days. Unexpectedly, God spoke to Tim and told him to go into the woods near his house and look for the boy... Listen to this special bonus episode from our friends at the GOD OUT LOUD Podcast, where Tim Halfin shares the remarkable story of hearing and obeying the voice of God.

Can you believe we’re already through Season 2?  Weren’t those stories amazing?!  It’s been so cool to hear from The Story Partners Podcast Community about how these stories have encourage you and shaped your faith.  We love what we get to do and are so excited for what God has in store in the future.     Thanks for following along with this season.  If you have any friends or family who don’t kno...

As a new teacher in Midland, Texas, Matt Slavik was in charge of driving a carload of kids to Zion National Park for a school trip.  Around 2am he woke up on the side of the road, disoriented and asking, “What happened?”  The answer was devastating.     The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story o...

Simone Halpin reached for the sex worker and earnestly pleaded, “You don’t have to do this!”. The woman’s eyes said everything: “Yes I do. You have no idea what my life is like.”   At that moment, the questions flooded into Simone’s mind, but one thing she knew to her core – THIS is not right.   This is this special two-part episode, so if you missed last week’s episode (the first part of this sto...

Simone Halpin's unsteady home life taught her at an early age that she had to be independant and take care of herself. Wanting to fit in, she falls in with the wrong crowd thinking that they really cared for her, only to find out that she was mistaken.    This is this special two-part episode. This episode tells the story of Simone's early life, and how her own history would prepare her for the wo...

After years of searching for truth, Jason and Katherine Grote come to faith in Christ.  Eager to get involved in community and grow in their new faith, they find a small church and immediately dive in. Things were great at first, but as time went on, they start to realize that everything was not as it once seemed.   This is this special two-part episode, so if you missed last week’s episode (the f...

Jason Grote was a quirky kid who didn’t fit in. Katherine was a dancer with an independent mind. They were an unlikely couple, but both were drawn to spiritual things and wanted to know the truth. Against all odds, they ended up together and both came to faith in Jesus in the most unexpected way.   This is this special two-part episode, so be sure to tune in next week for the rest of the story. Th...

When Tim Schulte was 12 years old, his parents divorced and his mom moved away. Finding himself without emotional support, Tim feels isolated and starts believing 4 lies about himself:  I’m unlovable, I’m not good enough, I’ll never be good enough, and God is continually disappointed in me.  These 4 lies would start Tim on a path of destruction that no coping mechanism could conceal.   The Story P...

Performance, perfection and efficiency were ideals that Dana Grindal lived by. These values guided her work, family, and spiritual life – and things were working well. But one day, God would suddenly disrupt all her plans, and life for Dana would come to a screeching halt. Dana found herself asking, “God, how could this possibly be Your will?”   The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted...

Imagine if things were so desperate in your home country that you felt like your only option was to pack up your family and travel through chaos in order to survive.  You get to the border of a new country and send your children off into the unknown, unsure of what awaits them.   In this unique episode, Brain and Stephanie share their first-hand experience of caring for unaccompanied children who...

As a child, Tim Crowder was loving life; his family was rich and they were secure.  But under the surface things were not as they appeared. Was it all a lie?   The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.   We hope that this story encourages your fait...

Jenessa Wait wanted to belong, but she didn’t know where she fit. As a pastor’s kid, there were things about church life that she loved. But she also wanted to fit into the “cool crowd”. She didn’t understand the significance at the time, but the choices she was making would change her entire life.   The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. E...

From a young boy the idea was planted in Daniel Mueller’s mind that you had to be successful to be important.  So, Daniel Mueller set out to do just that – be the richest, most influential person that he could be.  But wealth, status, and respect still left him empty and wanting more. Even with all his success, one question remained:  “Do I matter?”.   The Story Partners Podcast features artfully...

Emma Smith grew up fast. By 8th grade she was addicted to Meth and getting a glimpse into just how dark and scary that world is. Soon she realized she was in way over her head.   The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.   We hope that this story e...

Eddie Smith grew up in inner-city Chicago among extreme poverty, drugs and crime. Now as an adult struggling with drug addiction and the memories of a horribly abusive father, Eddie desires the end.  But Eddie’s Heavenly Father had other plans. Plans for healing, restoration, and purpose.   The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episod...

Kyle Hubbart had it all, until his house of cards started to crumble and his world fell apart. Little did he know that he would soon get a glimpse into hell that would change his life forever.   If you’re interested in Kyle’s story, there’s also a short film that has been created, which you can watch here.   The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived...

We are so excited that Season 2 is finally here!  We have some amazing stories that we can’t wait to share with you.  Rally your friends to subscribe and come along for the ride! Season 2, Episode 1 releases on January 22, 2024.

As we draw Season 1 to a close, we want to say thanks!  Thank you for coming along with us on this journey of discovering what God has done in the lives of those around us. We can’t wait for next season!   We’d like to ask you for your help! Would you join us by doing 2 things:   1.   We are currently collecting stories for Season 2. Do you know of a great story that you think should be a podcast...

Being an actor is confusing. How do you convince your audience your role is authentic without convincing your heart? Elizabeth Bernhardt talks about the tension between following Christ and the cost of acting on your mind, body and soul.   Connect with Elizabeth Bernhardt at www. ElizabethBernhardt.com and check out her book “The Power of Pretend”, available now on Amazon.   The Story Partners Pod...

As a young child, Laura Ayres quickly learned that her grandparents were not who she thought they were. She finds herself isolated – caught in an evil web of Satanic ritual abuse that would last for years. As her world is falling apart and her mind is splintering, Jesus rescues her from this living hell.   Warning: Listener discretion is advised. Parents, please listen first before sharing with yo...

Jaleesa McCreary had a promising career in opera - doing what she loved most. Until one day, when all these dreams were gone in a moment. What do you do when the thing you were made to do gets taken from you?   Connect with Jaleesa McCreary on Instagram @jaleesa_mac. Listen to her music at www. AustinStoneWorship.com   The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the peopl...

God spoke, and Walt heard it. He stepped into the rain to obey – but questions and doubt crowded in. Was that really God?   Questions or comments about the story? Reach out to Walt directly at Walt@StoryPartners.org.   The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life have been chan...

Bob and Suzanne Manis’ hearts toward God were hard. Suzanne was apathetic and Bob was openly hostile. They had grown up around faith, but as adults wanted nothing to do with Jesus. A tragic event early in marriage was the catalytic event that brought them into a whole new way of seeing God. The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episod...