The UNWavering Podcast

Dan Stoltz joins The UNWavering Podcast for a delightful conversation filled with nuggets of wisdom. Dan is a 1988 graduate of the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and serves as President and CEO of Blaze Credit Union, one of Minnesota’s largest credit unions. Throughout his career, Dan has been recognized as a respected business leader with a passion for developing people, strengthening orga...

Jackie Sommers joins The UNWavering Podcast for an honest and insightful conversation. Jackie is a 2003 graduate of the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and has spent more than two decades serving at Northwestern, where she currently works in Admissions. She’s also an award-winning author, speaker, and creative whose writing has earned national recognition, including the Katherine Paterson Pr...

This episode is a collection of mini spotlights with members of the University of Northwestern Alumni Council! Get to know each of them a little bit as they share what they’re up to now and why it means so much to them to stay engaged with Northwestern. You’ll hear from: Emily Herman ‘06 Jodi Richert ‘92 Erin Hosking ‘99 Betty Mertens ‘07 Morgan Peterson ‘19 Hannah Zinn ‘23 Tony Rojas ‘05 Brian Gi...

Tim Sawyer, Cassie Brechard, and David Kozamchak join The UNWavering Podcast for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Northwestern’s most beloved traditions: Christmas at Northwestern, taking place December 4-6. Tim directs the Northwestern Choir, Cassie leads Bands, and David conducts the Northwestern Orchestra. Together, along with many others, they shape a program that points audiences to the hop...

Andy Youso joins The UNWavering Podcast for a conversation that goes behind the mic and behind the red glasses! Andy is a 2005 graduate of the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and an award-winning broadcaster who currently serves as the afternoon host on 98.5 KTIS. After beginning his radio career in South Dakota and Oklahoma, Andy returned to Minnesota and has spent more than a decade encour...

Terry Esau joins The UNWavering Podcast for a conversation you won't want to miss! Terry is a 1978 graduate of Northwestern, where he studied music—and he is a member of the University's Music & Theatre Hall of Recognition. From small-town punk to becoming the "Jingle King of Minneapolis," Terry has built a career defined by creativity at scale. He has written and produced...

Jennifer Hunter joins The UNWavering Podcast to preview an exciting new season on stage! Jennifer has served as Professor and Director of Theatre at the University of Northwestern since 2014. She won't say it, but we will — Jennifer is awesome... and kind of a big deal! Beloved in the Theatre Department at Northwestern, she's earned multiple regional and national awards for her productio...

It's no secret that Monte Abeler, Director of Alumni & Family Engagement, and Cassie Plantage, Coordinator, love Homecoming — and this episode flips the script as Matt Anderson steps in as guest host to interview them both about Homecoming & Family Weekend, coming up October 9-10. Monte and Cassie dig into new elements of this year's Homecoming, including REUNION and the Athletic...

Dayton Dodge joins the podcast for a conversation on what it means to be Revival Ready. Dayton currently serves as the Assistant Director of Worship Arts and Spiritual Formation programs at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. He has 20+ years of worship leading experience, most recently serving as the worship pastor at New Hope Church (EFCA). Dayton is a 2001 Northwestern grad in music educ...

Dr. Matt Hill, Director of Athletics at the University of Northwestern, joins the podcast for a conversation on competing with purpose. Matt is a 1989 Northwestern grad himself, and he's now entering his 27th year leading UNW Athletics — a tenure that's included the department's move from the NAIA to NCAA Division III, national tournament runs in basketball, baseball, and volleyball...

Dr. Robin Bell wraps up our three-part series on what it really means to have an unwavering love for God's Word. Dr. Bell serves on the faculty at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, where he teaches and mentors students with a passion for spiritual formation, theology, and transformational learning. Before joining Northwestern, he spent more than fourteen years in multicultural minist...

Dr. Michael Wise, Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and an internationally recognized scholar of ancient Judaism and the Dead Sea Scrolls, continues our three-part series on what it really means to have an unwavering love for God's Word. In this conversation, Dr. Wise unpacks what it means to say that God's Word is foundational—and why that foundation matt...

UNW Professor Anna Rask Emison joins to kick off a three-part series exploring what it really means to have an unwavering love for God's Word. In this first conversation, Anna dives into the richness of Scripture—exploring the original languages of the Bible and how they shape our understanding of the text. She also unpacks some connections between the Old and New Testaments, along with the u...

Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek, President of University of Northwestern and Northwestern Media, kicks off Season 3 with a conversation on the year ahead. He shares his excitement for the new school year, an exciting update on Phase I of the Amplify the Gospel campaign, and reflects on his ongoing mission of guarding Northwestern's mission. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hoornbeek returns again and ag...

This episode is all about YOU! You’ll hear a recap of Season 2, many alumni spotlights, and a preview of Season 3. Hear how God is at work through UNW grads in your community and around the world. From music and law to ministry and biology, UNW alumni are living out their callings and using the unique gifts God has given them to make an impact in today’s world. With alumni in 67 countries, it’s cl...

Dr. Ryan Griffith, Dean and Associate Professor of the Classical Christian Honors College (CCHC), joins to share an update on the program’s first year. From engaging deeply with meaningful books to serving the community together, the CCHC equips students to grow not only academically, but spiritually—learning what it means to live out their faith. Through it all, God’s faithfulness is seen in ever...

Kyle Peach, Director of Traditional Undergraduate Admissions, joins to talk about finding the right college fit—and why experiencing campus firsthand matters. Kyle encourages students to visit UNW to truly get a feel for what makes it unique. He shares his passion for helping students understand exactly who UNW is, from its Christ-centered mission to a culture where students are bold in living out...

Coach Tim Grosz has led University of Northwestern’s Men’s Basketball team for 26 years. As he steps into a new opportunity in northern Colorado, we celebrate his next chapter while reflecting on a legacy that will be deeply missed. Join us as Coach Grosz looks back on his time at UNW with gratitude. He’s thankful for the players, colleagues, and community who shaped the journey along the way. Hea...

What does it look like to pursue Christ and your craft—especially when failure is part of the process? Join as we sit down with Ann Sorenson, Chair of the Department of Media Arts and Professor of Film, to talk about the power of being still, failing magnificently, and creating work that reflects God’s light . Professor Sorenson will talk through her journey from launching the film program to cele...

What happens when innovation is rooted in faith and driven by purpose? Dr. Siu-Yue Tam, Associate Professor of Engineering and Director of the Northwestern Center for Innovation & Research (NCIR), shares what it means to rely on God in and for everything—trusting that He is more than enough as we build, create, and lead. From the growth of School of Engineering and advancements in biomedical t...

Chris Asmus, UNW’s Campus Pastor, joins us this week to talk about Jesus, his church ministry, and the gift of getting to pour into students every week at chapel. Chris invites you to behold the real Jesus. He isn’t distant or theoretical, but a Savior who meets us in the middle of our everyday struggles.  Hear as Chris shares how Jesus takes our misery and transforms it into ministry, reminding u...

During spring break, a group of Northwestern students partnered with OneChild and traveled to Nicaragua on a missions trip to serve kids. God worked in ways they did not expect. In this episode, hear from Elliana Norton and Joel Amancharla (current UNW students) as they share memories and takeaways from this life-changing trip. The lessons they learned are powerful reminders for all of us: simple...

Since the 1990s, the Northwestern community has gathered on-campus in the spring for a dedicated Day of Prayer & Service—a long‑standing tradition when students, staff & faculty pause their regular schedules and spend the day praying, serving, and reconnecting with God and one another. This year, we invite alumni and families to join in this meaningful community tradition —on campus, onlin...

Heidi Lee Anderson (’10) joins us to share her journey. She is an author, speaker, and cancer survivor. Hear as Heidi talks about how God met her in every season and what shaped the heart behind her new book, “All In, All Yours.” Her new book is a 100-day devotional that takes you through the book of Joshua. Drawing from the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land, this devotional invites you to...

This week, we’re joined by Jason Sharp, Senior VP for Media at Northwestern Media, as he shares his personal journey in radio and faith—and how God has shaped his calling in Christian broadcasting. Jason gives us a look inside Northwestern Media’s network of radio stations, which reach millions of listeners across multiple states with Christ-centered content that is broadcasted live and local.  He...