I’ve had so much fun with my Walk It Out podcast in 2018. I thought I’d share my most popular guests. There were a few surprising things about this list. First, I interview far less men than women, but four men made the list!
Another surprising thing, my interview with my son’s childhood friend (Zach Klundt) was listened to more than best-selling authors and award-winning singers. It IS an amazing story worth listening to!
And, a fun surprise, the #1 most popular episode is currently the subject of the book I’m writing. Make sure you listen to Thoman Graumann’s story of how he survived the Holocaust, and be looking for the book in Fall 2019!
10 Plumb
It’s always fun as a podcaster to be able to connect with someone that I’ve appreciated and watched from a distance to see what God has done. I loved getting to connect with Plumb — yes, Plumb the amazing recording artist! So many of her songs have touched the depths of my soul. One of the amazing things about Plumb is the depth of her music is also shown in her books. Her newest book, Fight for Her: Even if You Have to Fight Her, was recently released. We chat about her book, parenthood, and life as a recording artist.
Listen to Plumb’s episode HERE.
9 Kristen Welch
You are going to be amazed and inspired by Kristen’s story. I’m so in awe of what she’s doing to care for those in Nairobi, Kenya, while also guiding her children to be world changers here in the States too. I believe Kristen will be the first to acknowledge that any success she’s had in these areas proves more about what God can accomplish through ordinary people than how prepared we need to be for the great mission He’s called us to: to love Him, love others, and make disciples.
Kristen’s heart is for parents to discover for themselves, and instill in their kids, the profound joy that comes from sharing what we have been given—our time, our talents, and even what’s in our wallets—with those who have less.
I have to say that I am so inspired by Kristen’s story, and Kristen’s faithfulness to following God, even in hard places.
Listen to Kristen’s episode HERE.
8 Robin Lee Hatcher
Robin and I have been part of the same writer’s sisterhood group for the past fifteen years. One of my greatest joys is getting together with these women. Yes, we all write fiction—and we enjoy helping each other plot and supporting each other—but more importantly, we have loved, prayed for, and cared for each other through the last fifteen years. In our group whenever someone shares a painful story, my friend Robin is the first to have tears in her eyes. When someone shares a great joy, she is the first to laugh and jump for joy. I always know that when I have something important on my heart, Robin will be tuned in and attentive.
From my friendship with Robin, I’ve discovered this deep compassion comes from two things: first, Robin’s time in God’s Word. Second, it comes from walking through the bumpy roads, filled with pain and heartache in her own life. In this interview, Robin shares about a difficult decision she had to make about her marriage, and the work God did through her obedience to Him.
Listen to Robin’s episode HERE.
7 ND Wilson
I had so much fun chatting with N.D. Wilson. He is the husband of one, the father of five, and the best-selling author of eleven novels, with one more forthcoming. His nonfiction book Death by Living won top honors in Christianity Today’s 2014 Book Awards in the spirituality category. He and his work have been featured everywhere from the Atlantic and NPR to the Today Show and Nat Geo. He received his B.A. from New Saint Andrews College in 1999 and an M.A. from St. John’s in Annapolis, MD, in 2001. He is also an independent filmmaker and screenwriter, most recently writing and directing the YA drama, The River Thief, which released in 2016, and the groundbreaking nature documentary, The Riot and the Dance —which we chat about in this episode.
6 Zach Klundt
There are some stories that are especially meaningful because I know the guest well — and this is one of those stories. In March 2014, Zach struggled with alcohol and depression and in his lowest point took part in vandalizing businesses in Kalispell, Montana. One of the places he vandalized was an abortion clinic, and because of that, it made national news.
The story took on a life of its own and with that came many hardships for Zach and his family — court cases, fines, additional accusations and prison time. But today, you’re going to hear the real story behind all that.
Zach is one of my son’s very best friends. Growing up he was in and out of our house all the time, but one of the things that neither we nor his family knew about was Zach’s struggle with alcoholism. In today’s episode, Zach is completely real and honest today about his struggle, about his time in prison, and how he found true freedom in Christ.
Listen to Zach’s episode HERE.
5 Tiffany King
What’s for dinner tonight? —This is a question every single day that I have to answer. Tiffany King is the author of the book Eat at Home Tonight. In this episode, we talk about recipes, ideas, how to plan dinners, but more than that we talk about what it really means to gather your family around the table, to talk face to face, and to share our hearts with one another. It’s about nourishing people’s souls not just nourishing their bodies.
Listen to Tiffany’s episode HERE.
4 Kathi Lipp
Kathi Lipp inspires thousands of women each year to strip down their expectations and lives and live with real purpose. With humor and wisdom, Kathi offers hope paired with practical steps to live with meaning.
Kathi Lipp is the author of 16 books including Clutter Free, The Get Yourself Organized Project, The Husband Project, Happy Habits for Every Couple, and I Need Some Help Here – Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan. She is the host of Clutter Free Academy the Podcast! with Kathi Lipp and speaks at conferences across the US. Kathi is published with Revell Publishers and Harvest House Publishers.
She has become well respected on the topics of clutter from a biblical perspective (who knew there was such a thing?). She is a national speaker and is often featured on Focus on the Family, MOPS International, Crosswalk.com, and Nickelodeon TV’s Parent Connect as well as a number of other media outlets around the country. She was recently named “Best of Broadcast” on Focus on the Family.
She and her husband Roger are the parents of four young adults in San Jose, CA. When she’s not dating her husband or hanging out with her puggle Jake, Kathi is speaking at retreats, conferences and women’s events across the US.
Listen to Kathi’s episode HERE.
3 Chrystal Evans Hurst
In this episode, we chat about Chrystal’s new book She’s Still There, Chrystal shares how God transformed her heart, helping her to realize her worth. She also shares about the joy of finally understanding what God says about her, and the value she has, just by being alive.
“If you are breathing, you are worth the work of the rescue,” Chrystal says. “If you’re still alive there is a gift of God in you that still needs to be expressed in this world.”
Chrystal talks about working at balance, paying attention to her need for rest, and gauging the needs of her family. She talks about training and retraining kids and giving grace to them. And we also chat about the rhythm she attempts to set in her day to turn her attention to God.
Listen to Chrystal’s episode HERE.
2 Jason Weber
I love Jason’s heart for fostering. Jason Weber, and his wife, Trisha, have been caring for children from U.S. foster care since 2001 and have had the privilege of adopting their five children from foster care. Jason has helped to produce and write several books, bible studies, and other tools all created to serve churches as they care for hurting kids including the recent children’s book, Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn (BroadStreet Publishing). Jason writes a regular column for Fostering Families Today magazine and is the host of the Foster Movement Podcast, which highlights the stories of former foster youth and national foster care advocates. Jason and Trisha were recently recognized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute with the Angels in Adoption award. Jason serves as the National Director of Foster Care Initiatives for the Christian Alliance for Orphans and currently lives in Plano, Texas.
Listen to Jason’s episode HERE.
1 Thomas Graumann
I’m so excited to introduce you to Thomas Graumann. At age eight, Thomas Graumann boarded a train in Czechoslovakia he thought was a three month holiday. “Go to Britain, learn English, and when the Germans leave, you can come home,” his mother told him. Thomas carried two suitcases and a bag of food. At the time, Thomas knew that his country had been taken over by the Germans, but his story doesn’t end there. Join us today to hear Thomas’ full story in his own words. I also had the privilege of being able to write Thomas’ story — it’ll be coming out later this year!
Listen to Thomas’ episode HERE.
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