The Unlikely Leader

The Unlikely Leader: “Hope in Heartbreak”

What do you do when life brings unimaginable loss and overwhelming trials all at once? Where do you turn when grief and fear collide? In this powerful episode of The Unlikely Leader: How God Turns Setbacks Into Comebacks, we share the incredible story from author, LaVonne Chastain about the life of her cousin, Gaylynn Kapri, a woman whose faith was tested in ways most of us can’t imagine. Through deep sorrow and uncertainty, her faith in God became her anchor. Instead of letting tragedy define her story, she allowed God to use her pain for a greater purpose. Today, her journey is inspiring and encouraging other women who are walking through their own storms. This episode is a beautiful reminder that even in our darkest moments, God is still present, still working, and still bringing hope. Listen to “Hope in Heartbreak” now… ✨ If you or someone you love is going through a difficult season, this conversation will remind you that heartbreak is not the end of the story. 🙏 Listen, be encouraged, and share with someone who may need this message today.

The Unlikely Leader: “Purpose in the Pain”

🎙️ The Unlikely Leader: “Purpose in the Pain” What if the setback you never asked for… was actually part of God’s greater plan? In this powerful episode of The Unlikely Leader: How God Turns Setbacks Into Comebacks, I sit down with American Ninja Warrior contestant Angela Fuller to share her incredible story of faith, resilience, and redemption. After a devastating car accident following college, Angela stepped away from gymnastics for 14 years. What seemed like the end of a dream became the beginning of something greater. Through unwavering faith and a positive spirit, she made an incredible comeback—returning to gymnastics, setting records, competing on American Ninja Warrior, and becoming a dance fitness instructor who now inspires others to keep going. Angela’s journey is a beautiful reminder that with God, nothing is wasted—and through Him, all things are possible. ✨ If you’re walking through a season of pain, waiting, or uncertainty, this episode is for you. 👉 Follow this page and listen now #TheUnlikelyLeader #PurposeInThePain #FaithOverFear #ComebackStory #ChristianPodcast

The Unlikely Leader: “The Chemistry of Faith and Science”

🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT‼️ 👩🏼‍🔬 What happens when science and faith collide? 💥🧫🙏🔬⛪️🔭 🎙️On the latest episode of The Unlikely Leader, “The Chemistry of Faith and Science,” I speak with chemist, author, and Christian mentor Dr. Elizabeth Gregor for a fascinating conversation about how God can use your career as a mission field. Dr. Gregor shares how she learned to integrate her faith with her work in science—even during the challenges of graduate school—and how God revealed Himself to her through prayer, dreams, and powerful moments of guidance. Today, through her ministry, Science for Christ, she is equipping the next generation of students to stand firm in both scientific truth and biblical truth, especially during their college years. 📖 We also talk about her new book, The Multifaceted Purpose of God, where she uses chemistry analogies to explain biblical principles and reminds us that understanding our identity in Christ is key to living out the purpose God has for us. This episode will challenge the way you think about faith, purpose, and calling—no matter what field you work in. ✝️ Have you signed up for the podcast mailing list so you can receive episodes, links, resources, and special announcements first? 👉🏼https://forms.gle/ZFeVj9MpKgAdKmDJ6

The Unlikely Leader: “Faith and Fitness”

🤗 I had the absolute joy of chatting with Lacey Cleland for this episode of The Unlikely Leader podcast, “Faith and Fitness” — and Wow, what a powerful conversation! 💛
👟Lacey is a dance fitness instructor from Fort Worth, Texas with over 1 MILLION followers who is boldly blending movement and ministry. What started as high-energy fitness classes has grown into something even deeper as she now incorporates praise and worship music into her routines — creating spaces where women can strengthen their bodies while drawing closer to God.
In this episode, Lacey opens up about the obstacles and hardships she’s faced behind the scenes and how her faith carried her through. Her story is a powerful reminder that through God all things are possible, and when we surrender our gifts and our platforms to Him, He can use them to point people back to His love and truth.
If you need encouragement to keep pursuing your dream, to trust God in the hard seasons, or to worship even while you work out, this episode is for you.
You will be inspired to move your body and your faith forward. 💪✨
Check out more from Lacey Cleland:
Online classes/strength training: Somble.com/LaceUpFitness
Instagram: @LaceUpCardioDance

The Unlikely Leader: “Publishing with Purpose”

Welcome back to The Unlikely Leader, the podcast where we share stories of ordinary people who said “yes” to God—and watched Him do extraordinary things. Today, I’m sitting down with Susan Perry, a Christian author and publisher from Edgewater, Florida. Susan and her husband have dedicated their lives to helping Christian authors bring their God-given stories into the world. But what makes their work so unique isn’t just that they publish books—it’s that they pray with their authors, walk closely beside them, and make the process accessible and affordable for those who feel called to share their testimony. If you’ve ever felt the nudge to write your story but didn’t know where to begin… if you’ve wondered whether your testimony really matters… or if you’ve been curious about what it truly takes to publish a book rooted in faith—this conversation is for you. Susan shares not only the practical side of publishing, but the spiritual journey behind it—the surrender, the obedience, and the trust in God’s timing. Because sometimes being an unlikely leader simply means helping someone else find the courage to use their voice.

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!