The StoryMakers Podcast

As the hosting season ramps up, we’re re-sharing one of our favorite conversations from last year — an episode we return to again and again for inspiration. Get cozy and tune in as Mel sits down with hospitality extraordinaire Sarah Copeland, an author, chef, and gifted writer whose approach to connection and beauty feels especially grounding during busy seasons. Sarah shares her favorite tricks o...

Join Mel for an interesting conversation with author and mother, Amy Mantravadi. They get into the details of bringing God’s story to life through a creative and grace-forward approach. Amy shares her experience as a mother, trusting that God’s story is a long story. This conversation is theological and encouraging for parents!

Do you have questions for God? Join Mel and author Tanner Olson as they dive into the topic of God, kids, and poetry. Tanner recently wrote a children’s book that invites parents and kids to talk to God through all the big and small questions. Join the conversation and pick up Tanner’s latest drop!

Join Mel for a chat about art and the promises of God. In this episode Mel interviews author and Family Minister, Roger Hutchinson. He shares his creative insight and approach to the BIG moments of the Christian life. Through art and storytelling – Roger has made a pathway for kids to know God is for them now and always.

Join Mel as she talks with Old Testament professor Sarah Salzberg about Genesis 1–3, the opening chapters of the Bible that reveal how God interacts with humanity. In this conversation, Mel and Sarah explore how God brings order out of chaos, invites humanity into His creative work, and sets the stage for redemption.

Join Mel and Jennifer as they dive into the topic of family rhythms. If we are honest, sparking healthy habits feels nearly impossible – discover how Jennifer has integrated faith at home through all the ups and downs that life brings. You won’t want to miss this conversation!

Wallace Benton, Associate Director of Lifelong Learning at VTS (and youth ministry pro!), joins the pod to share tips for easing into the back-to-school season with flexibility, fun, and faith!

Join Mel and Sarah as they discuss The Old Story. Sarah Salzberg is a speaker, writer, and high school theology teacher. In this episode, she offers wisdom when it comes to engaging God's story with Gen Z and Alpha.

Are you afraid of teens? Tune into this episode to discover how you can engage faith with the teens in your life. Michael Yelland-Brown, Founder of The Way Studios, shares his learnings as a content creator for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. If you love teens, you won't want to miss this episode.

Join Mel for a conversation with Meredith Miller, a mother, pastor, author, and forerunner in how to spark healthy faith connections. She is the author of Woven, a must-read for anyone who works with children or is a parent. Meredith beautifully illustrates what it means to be anchored to Jesus and scripture – plus she is full of wit and wisdom. Tune into this next episode!

Join Mel on a deep dive through the Book of Daniel with Dr. Brennan Breed. This episode explores the deep landscape of the Bible with sparks of curiosity and insight. Daniel is full of hope and there are easy ways to share this story with your kids.

Join Mel and Elisa for a candid chat about “Mama Sing My Song". This episode explores God’s nature of surprise and wonder as we grow into our creativity. Elisa is a musician, mama, and business owner to Mama Sing My Song – you may know them from Shark Tank. Tune in for an episode full of laughs and curiosities.

Sparking curiosity for teens is easy when you TUNE IN with curiosity. In this episode, Myra Garnes shares wisdom and hope for teens. There are many ways to connect, if "grownups" tune in with ease.

Tom Cozen is a film Director and Founder of Owl in Space. He shares his wisdom, faith, and visual language with StoryMakers. Mel and Tom share their heartbeat when it comes to faith formation through the art of storytelling. You won’t want to miss this episode!

Join Mel and the founders of Mom Life Ministries: Melanie and Christy. Moms – you won't want to miss this episode of encouragement. Melanie and Christy are moms, best friends, and faith leaders who are shepherding mothers across the country. They are offering community and Gospel hope. 💛 Love encouraging other moms in faith and friendship? You might be the perfect MomLife leader! Whether it’s in...

Mel sits with Robbie Gaines, co-founder of HopeWords. Together they explore what it means to experience story through “The Widowed Place.” Robbie is a pastor, father, and gatherer to HopeWords. His insight and wisdom are a gift. Don’t miss this dose of encouragement.

Have you ever wondered, "Is God's story enough?" If you or your kids have ever asked this question, you’ll want to tune into our latest drop for some helpful perspective and encouragement. Rev. Aaron Zimmerman is a founding board member of StoryMakers and the Rector of St. Alban's Church in Waco, Texas. In this episode, Aaron shares why we grown-ups can trust the stories and how we can communicate...

God's story is FULL of exciting plot twists. Join us for an exciting episode with Fr. Jon Jameson, musician turned priest.

Is the Bible an exciting adventure? Tune in for an interesting and fun chat on the Old Story. Join Mel and Chad Bird, Biblical Scholar, to discover how to engage the Bible's text with ease. If you are someone who wonders where to even begin, this episode is for you. Chad Bird is an incredible writer, and at the heart of it all, a storyteller that whispers hope to all that read his work.

Join us for a conversation with the Rev. Matthew Hoskinson. If you are a dad wondering what it means to shepherd your kids through faith, this is the episode for you. Matthew shares his faith story with StoryMakers. He is the dynamic director of an innovative, interdenominational urban ministry institute. Listen in on how Grace impacts your approach in parenting.

Tune into the pod to hear what it means to parent with confidence. Will and Courtney, founders of Crew and Co., share God's story and what it means to experience faith at home. Courtney is a visual artist and Will is an author. Together they create resources that spark the imagination and faith.

The word of God anchors the soul, and Rebekah Hannah is at work to assure the next generation of that truth. Author, Therapist, and Youth Director Rebekah Hannah shares her wisdom. She is a mother and theological leader, shepherding the grownups raising the next generation. Tune in and meet Rebekah Hannah.

Tune into the episode "God Sparks Faith" with Esau McCaulley, PhD, author, and New Testament professor at Wheaton College. He has authored numerous books, ranging from Bible commentaries to children’s literature. Esau is the father of four children and husband to Dr. Mandy McCaulley. This Christmas, he will release Andy Johnson and the March for Justice, the second book of a two-part series. Esau...

Get cozy and tune in to hear from hospitality extraordinaire, Sarah Copeland. She joins Mel to share her favorite tricks of the trade when it comes to connection and beauty. Sarah is an author, chef, and incredible writer. You won’t want to miss this episode.

Tune in to hear from mother, author, former elementary teacher, and current homeschooler Courtney Tracy. Courtney is a mother of four and has a pulse on what it means to hold rhythms at home. If you are a grown-up with kids at home, you will want to take a beat and receive a bit of encouragement from this kind and creative Minnesotan! Be sure to follow Courtney Tracy along on Instagram @courtney.t...