The Unlikely Leader

The Unlikely Leader: From Grief to Grace

✨A Story of Faith, Loss, and Unshakable Hope ✨ What does it look like to keep trusting God when life feels impossibly heavy? In this powerful episode of The Unlikely Leader Podcast, I sit down with author Karol Holmes, a devoted mom who has walked a road few can truly understand. She opens up about the daily challenges of raising children with special needs, the deep grief of losing two children, and the raw, real moments that tested her faith like never before. But her story doesn’t end in sorrow. It’s a story of hope, resilience, and finding Jesus in the middle of heartbreak. He shows His grace amid the grief. Karol’s honesty will move you. Her strength will inspire you. And her faith will remind you that even in our darkest valleys, God is still there. If you or someone you love has ever carried grief or felt overwhelmed as a special needs parent— this conversation is for you. ❤️ “From Grief to Grace”

The Unlikely Leader: “Faith Over Fear”

Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. — over 40 million people — experience an anxiety disorder each year? Anxiety is one of the most common mental health struggles of our time, yet so many feel alone in it.  🎙️In this episode of The Unlikely Leader, I’m talking with Mike Catanzarito — a psychology professor, licensed Christian counselor, and professional Christian comedy entertainer— about his powerful journey through crippling anxiety and how God didn’t just pull him through it… but used it to shape the work he does today. 🙏 From being overwhelmed by fear… 🎤 To helping people find hope, healing, and joy… 📖 To spreading the Gospel across churches nationwide. Mike’s story is real. It’s honest. And it shows that God can turn our pain into purpose. If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, fear, or felt like your challenges were too big — this episode will encourage your heart.

The Unlikely Leader: “Unwrap Your Spiritual Gifts”

“Christmas may be over… but you still have gifts to unwrap!”
…spiritual gifts, that is.
As we step into a brand-new year, many of us are still asking the same big question: What does God actually want to do with my life?
Christmas may be over — the tree is down, the wrapping paper is gone — but here’s the truth: you are still surrounded by gifts. Not the kind you put on a shelf, but the ones God placed inside you… your calling, your passions, and your spiritual gifts.
This week’s guest is someone who has made it his mission to help people discover exactly that. John Rennie is the founder of Brushfires Ministry, a ministry devoted to helping believers uncover their God-given purpose and step confidently into how God designed them to serve.
In this conversation, we explore how to recognize the gifts God has given you, how to move past fear, and how your purpose may be much closer than you think.
So if you’ve ever wondered, “What am I really here for?” or “Does God actually have something specific for me?” this episode is for you!

The Unlikely Leader: Faith in the Fire

The Unlikely Leader: “Faith in the Fire” 🔥
🎙️ In this episode of The Unlikely Leader, I welcome back Patrick Stivers, a guest whose story took an unexpected turn after his last visit.
The last time Patrick joined us, he shared his heart for ministry and the mission God put on his life: bringing supplies, hope, and human connection to people experiencing homelessness. But shortly after that conversation, Patrick’s own world was shaken. He lost his home in a devastating fire… and suddenly found himself homeless.
Yet even in the midst of unimaginable loss, Patrick’s faith never wavered. He continues to serve others, continues to trust God, and continues to show what it means to live out joy—real joy—in every circumstance.
In this powerful conversation, we talk about how joy isn’t found in our surroundings but in the One who never changes.
The holidays are not a joyful time for everyone. If you need encouragement today—if you’re walking through your own kind of fire—this episode will remind you that God is present, God is faithful, and God can bring joy even in the hardest moments.

The Unlikely Leader: How God Turns Setbacks Into Comebacks “Trust in Transitions”

In this episode, I talk with Mark Mast, an interim transitional minister who walks congregations through seasons of change with wisdom, compassion, and solid biblical grounding. Our conversation was filled with insights about faith, leadership, and trusting God in the in-between moments. If you need some encouragement for your own season of change, you won’t want to miss this one!

The Unlikely Leader: How God Turns Setbacks Into Comebacks “Powered by Prayer”

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with longtime nurse and resilient woman of faith, Nancy Dunn. Nancy opens up about the challenges she faced early in life, the obstacles she overcame through determination, and the deep, personal relationship with God that carried her through it all. With warmth and honesty, she shares how prayer shaped her journey—guiding her career, strengthening her spirit, and helping her navigate seasons of uncertainty. At the heart of her story lies a powerful message she hopes every listener will take with them: forgiveness is essential for healing, growth, and true peace.

The Unlikely Leader: Delivering Hope

Episode 3: In this episode of The Unlikely Leader, we sit down with Patrick Stivers — a man whose heart for service is transforming lives on the streets. Patrick shares his powerful journey of faith and compassion as he delivers food, clothing, blankets, and supplies to the homeless. Through his ministry, he’s not only meeting physical needs but also offering dignity, hope, and the message of Christ’s love to those who need it most. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about what it truly means to lead with purpose, humility, and faith in action.

The Unlikely Leader: Coaching On and Off the Field

In this inspiring episode of The Unlikely Leader, I sit down with Judy Stalter — a true coach both on and off the field. Judy’s passion for developing athletes extends far beyond sports; she’s helping shape hearts and minds for Christ through her work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We’ll talk about what it means to lead with faith, how she uses her platform to share the Gospel, and the powerful ways God is moving in her life. Whether you’re a coach, a player, or simply someone looking to lead with purpose, this conversation will remind you that every field is a mission field. Tune in now to hear Judy’s story of calling, coaching, and Christ-centered leadership. 🙌 #TheUnlikelyLeader

The Unlikely Leader: Turning Regret into Redemption

In this episode of The Unlikely Leader, host Kara Rapp interviews Heather Shaffer about her life—from a shy, bullied teen to a technology coach who uses her experiences to guide and serve. Heather candidly shares the impact of a teenage abortion, the years of shame that followed, and the moment God began to turn that pain into purpose.
Heather explains how sharing her story  now equips her to walk alongside others in healing. This conversation focuses on faith, redemption, and how God uses ordinary people and painful experiences for extraordinary ministry.
Linked below are resources Heather recommended for abortion recovery:
deeperstill.org
https://supportafterabortion.com/